Post on Contact the Elderly - 24/02/2011
Posted by Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, at 16:36, Thu 24 February 2011:
Around the world Rotary Clubs do good by stealth. From raising money to eradicate polio to organising local trips for the elderly or disadvantaged children. They have been a part of the ‘Big Society’ long before the term was invented. I am proud to be a member of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club and see how much good it does. This includes promoting other charities and last week we were introduced to Contact the Elderly.
Helen Ker spoke to us about her role in setting up the Somerset branch of Contact the Elderly. Its aim is to bring people aged over 75 together for Sunday afternoon tea. Volunteers drive the older members to and from another volunteers’ home for ‘tea, cake and companionship’. Often the elderly ones are unable to drive and many are living on their own. This means they have become cut off from society and may be lonely.
As the population ages and life expectancy increases charities such as Contact the Elderly will be more important. It helps add pleasure and joy to people’s lives – not just the elderly but also the volunteers who not only know they are doing good but learn from the experiences of those they help. It is not in any sense party political and nor is the ‘Big Society’. It is about encouraging people to do a bit more and to remove barriers erected by the state that make it harder. I know I would be happy to host a tea party and anyone else who would like to help can contact Helen Ker on 0117 960 9606.
www.jacobreesmogg.com
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