Southgate hosts tea parties for local elderly people

The Mercure Southgate Hotel Exeter is hosting a series of afternoon tea parties for older people working in partnership with the national charity Contact The Elderly. The get-togethers aim to combat loneliness and isolation among older people.  

The Hotel has already hosted 2 tea parties and plans to hold them regularly in the future.  Tamsyn Parsons, Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel Sales Manager, says: “These events are great fun for all involved and we’re pleased to be able to support Contact The Elderly in its work in tackling isolation among Exeter’s older population.”

The latest event saw the guests sampling the hotel’s new afternoon tea menu which includes a selection of fine teas, cakes, scones and finger sandwiches.

Suzan Hyland, National Volunteer Support Officer  from Contact The Elderly said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Southgate to host some of our tea parties. The Contact the Elderly model is based on a simple yet very effective concept: free monthly tea parties for older people, supported by a network of volunteers. The social gatherings bring the same group of individuals together each month, developing fulfilling friendships.”

These activities form part of the hotel’s commitment to supporting local charities.  Last month a team from the hotel raised more than £2,300 for Hospiscare after completing a skydive.

For more information or to get in touch with Contact the Elderly, contact Andrew Burke,
local co-ordinator of the Exmouth and Exeter Group, on 01392 434718.