On Saturday 26 September Royal Free Charity volunteers, working with the national charity Contact the Elderly, hosted its first inter-generational tea party. 

The charity invited 25 older people from the local area to come and dine with some of our younger volunteers, who are aged between 16 and 25.

The event took place in the Royal Free Hospital chapel and was supported by the chaplaincy service. It saw musical performances from a guest vocalist, a pianist and a young volunteer who played viola for the guests.

Contact the Elderly aims to reduce loneliness and isolation among elderly people by throwing tea parties.

Elaine Donnellon, voluntary services manager, said: “The event was huge success and all the volunteers and guests had a great time.

“We hope to build on our inter-generational work in the future, as well as our partnership with Contact the Elderly.”

Image:  Volunteers and local residents at the tea party

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contacts: daniel.obrien1@nhs.net or call 020 7371 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.