A CHARITY which offers a lifeline of friendship to older people is appealing for Stirling’s population to open their car doors, cake cupboards and hearts.

Contact the Elderly organises free monthly afternoon tea parties which take place on a Sunday.

Guests are local older people who live alone.

They are collected by volunteer drivers who accompany them at the informal and friendly events.

Hosts welcome a group of around eight people once or twice a year, providing a tasty afternoon tea and, most importantly, a warm welcome.

Contact the Elderly already has two groups in Stirling and now has a waiting list of guests keen for a third to be formed.

Janice Kerr, development officer at Contact the Elderly, said: “Our volunteers play a vital role in the work we do.

"Spending time with older people who would otherwise very likely be sitting at home alone is a wonderful thing to do.

"We ask our volunteers to share a few hours once a month, or even just once a year, to make an incredible difference.

“It would be lovely to extend the lifeline of friendship to the older people who would enjoy a spot of baking and a blether in Stirling.”

To find out more about becoming a volunteer with Contact the Elderly in Stirling, contact janice.kerr@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01236 898613.