LAUGHTER, coffee and cake were on the menu as Ramsbottom residents dished up an afternoon tea party for the elderly.

The tea party was held by Friendship on a Sunday, a group made up of parishioners at St Andrew’s Church, in Ramsbottom, which holds tea parties for the elderly once a month.

This month, The Challenge - a Manchester-based charity which works to build a more integrated society by bringing together people from all ages, ethnicities and walks of life - organised the party which saw more than 40 guests attend.

Young volunteers gave up their time to plan the get-together on Sunday (September 20) at the church, off Bolton Street.

Friendship on a Sunday works in partnership with Contact the Elderly, a charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older people.

The charity organises the tea parties for people aged 75 and above, who live alone.

The Challenge volunteers arranged food and hot drinks and served at the tea party while socialising with the guests.

Contact the Elderly regional development officer, Gwen Lightfoot, said: “Sunday afternoon is often the loneliest time of the week for older people so it was fantastic to see so many guests and young volunteers attending the tea party on Sunday.

“I think the young volunteers surprised themselves with how much they enjoyed chatting to and forming friendships with the older guests.

"Everyone knows someone on their street or in their local area who would benefit from getting out of the house and socialising.

"We're asking people to help us find new guests. We know that there are plenty of people out there who could benefit and I would urge them to them to get in touch with me to sign up to attend.”

The charity operates by forming small local groups made up of guests and volunteers and one Sunday afternoon a month each group meets for free tea and cake.

Hosts take it in turns to welcome guests, usually once or twice a year and volunteer drivers take guests safely to the tea party and then home again.

Volunteers are needed to support the Bury and Bircle group.

Ms Lightfoot would like to hear from anyone interested in joining as a guest on 01925 728 969 or by e-mailing gwen.lightfoot@contact-the-elderly.org.uk