A charity which has been providing social events for older people in Twickenham for nearly fifty years is appealing for volunteer drivers to help keep the group going.

Re-engage, which is dedicated to ending loneliness and isolation among those aged 75 and over, holds monthly free tea parties in the area.

Currently, they have enough hosts for these events but there is a shortage of drivers to take the older people to and from venues.

Coordinator Judith Porter, who has been volunteering for Re-engage since 2016, said: "Covid affected us as it did everyone and our group is somewhat smaller now. We have around half a dozen older people who regularly attend and we are slowly re-building.

 "But we need more volunteer drivers who can give up an afternoon once a month and take our guests to and from a host's home.

 "The older people absolutely love the tea parties. As soon as they all arrive the chatting and laughing starts and doesn't stop.

 "Our volunteers really get a lot out of the occasions as well and say they find it really heart-warming to see the older people enjoying themselves so much."

The charity was started in 1965 by Trevor Lyttleton, who was moved by the story of a woman living alone who had no electricity.

The Twickenham and Richmond tea party group started a decade later and has been meeting regularly, barring the pandemic period.

 If you'd like to volunteer for Re-engage please go to: Local volunteering opportunities near you (reengage.org.uk). Or you can call: 0207 240 0630.