A LIFELINE for the elderly has been saved by Colwyn Bay pupils, who have been putting the kettle on to keep older people company.
Rydal Penrhos relaunched the Community Tea Party last week after the previous organisers of the regular event left the area, to offer over 75 year olds the chance to socialise to help relieve feelings of isolation.
Volunteers from the school spent their free time preparing the tea party at St John’s Church.
Pupils baked their own cakes and supplied the refreshments during the afternoon, which saw many stories shared and new friends made.
Eve Davies, 15, from Rhos on Sea said: "It was a very fulfilling way to spend my Sunday afternoon and I’m looking forward to next month so I can hear some more amazing stories from so many amazing people."
Karen Teal, CAS Co-ordinator (Community, Action, Service) and head of art at the school explained how staff were keen to get involved with the scheme and were happy to secure the initiative's future.
She said: "We thought it was a good idea to become involved and help the charity with a new venue. It now runs once a month and students from different year groups and different cultures come to the meetings and socialise.
"It’s wonderful to see the pupils talking to the ladies and gentlemen about their lives and their homes and listening to their stories. Both the pupils and the visitors get a lot from it and I hope that the tea parties continue for a long time to come."
Pupils are already looking forward to the next Tea Party on October 30, and plans are already well underway.
Jane Carey-Evans, North Wales Development Officer for Contact the Elderly, said: "It's fantastic to see the younger generation of Colwyn Bay helping out the elderly people in their local community. Many of the pupils come from as far afield as Hong Kong - so the older guests enjoy chatting to them and finding out more about their lives.
"The tea parties make a huge difference to the lives of isolated, older people in Colwyn Bay, and indeed the rest of Wales.
"If any older people from nearby sheltered accommodation would like to join the Colwyn Bay group, please do get in touch with me on 01766 522136."