Charity stalwart with Re-engage in Inverness is celebrated at special ‘retirement’ event in her honour
A celebration has been held to honour a long-serving stalwart at a charity that works to tackle social isolation among the elderly.
The Inverness group of the national charity, Re-Engage - which was formerly known as Contact the Elderly - marked the ‘retirement’ of its local co-ordinator, Ann Johnston, in the Glenmoriston Hotel on Friday (August 16).
In 1997 Contact the Elderly decided to expand its operation throughout the UK and endeavoured to establish groups in rural areas. Inverness Group 1 was the first of such groups in the Highland capital and it began operation in October 1998. Ann took over the role of the group’s co-ordinator in 2010 and, through careful management of a bank of volunteers, has organised Sunday afternoon tea parties for older people who live alone, giving them the opportunity to enjoy time out of the house socialising with others.
Each volunteer host welcomes a group of six to eight people into their home once or twice a year, providing an afternoon tea and a warm, friendly environment in which to engage with others. Volunteers also act as drivers ferrying the guests to and from each tea party… and, as they join in on the tea party fun, a great time is had by all.
In addition to co-ordinating the monthly tea parties, Ann has organised many activities for the group’s members, including a celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, trips on The Seagull on the Caledonian Canal and visits to a local farm where guests were able to meet and cuddle new lambs.
Ann’s work did not halt in the pandemic as she organised hostesses to deliver doorstep treats to the group’s members.
For her service to the charity, Ann was awarded the prestigious Marsh Trust Award in 2016 and travelled to London with some of the group’s other volunteers to receive her accolade. She has been instrumental in raising funds for the Inverness Group, including monies from the Mighty Mac Award, an annual scheme run by Inverness solicitors MacLeod and MacCallum.
A gift, flowers and cake were presented to Ann during the special afternoon tea in The Glenmoriston Hotel.
Susan Belford, the group’s new coordinator, said: “Ann has committed many hours to organising and coordinating activities to support people in our community who are over 75 years of age and, through her selfless work, enduring friendships have been made.
“This tea party is the tiniest gesture to pay tribute to Ann and to say a huge thank you for all of her marvellous work over many years. We are delighted that Ann will remain part of our group in a hosting and /or driver capacity as we would simply be lost without her!”
To find out more about becoming a volunteer or a guest with Re-Engage in the local area, contact Laura Sowden of the Re-Engage team on 020 7240 0630 or by email to laura.sowden@reengage.org.uk.
READ MORE: Inverness volunteer group celebrates its 25-year anniversary