Mayor of Hounslow Takes Afternoon Tea in Chiswick
Attends event run by Re-engage which combats isolation among the elderly
Mayor of Hounslow Karen Smith chats to guests at the tea party
March 4, 2025
Cllr Karen Smith, the Mayor of Hounslow, along with her consort Mr. David Smith, were guests of honour at a Sunday afternoon tea party held in Chiswick recently.
They had been invited by Re-engage a charity which aims to counter loneliness and isolation amongst senior citizens.
Each month a team of volunteers collect guests to drive them to someone's home where they are treated to afternoon tea provided by their host.
For the Mayor's visit, Lynette Royle was ably assisted by her neighbours Caroline Langton and Heather White.
Guests from the Chiswick and Isleworth Re-Engage groups enjoyed a substantial spread including egg and smoked salmon sandwiches, Irish barm brack tea cake, carrot and cream cheese muffins and Victoria sponge and almond meringue cakes. Endless cups of tea were poured and two hours of chat and laughter vanished in no time.
Re-engage was founded in 1965 by Trevor Lyttleton with the aim of identifying older people who have seen their social circles diminish and have fewer and fewer people to turn to.
Loneliness can be cruel, and it affects millions of people over 75 who live in social isolation.
Re-engage is making life less lonely for thousands of older people every year. Older people tell it that its volunteer-led activities make them happier and more able to trust others.
Two hours of conversation and laughter passed quickly
The tea parties are monthly social groups which give older people regular afternoons of conversation and laughter with friends of all ages.
It also runs a telephone befriending service, Call Companions, to ensureensuring older people stay connected to the outside world. Call companions is available to anyone aged 75 and over who’s socially isolated and would like a regular chat over the phone with a volunteer.
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