Supermarket in Wales offers tea to older adults

A supermarket in Swansea is offering local older people tea and coffee as part of a new scheme to tackle the issue of loneliness in the older generation.

Following the news that more than 75,000 older people feel lonely in Wales, managers at Tesco Extra Cadle are now holding monthly befriending meetings for older people.

As part of these sessions there will be free tea, coffee and other refreshments on offer to help older people make new friends.

Older people don’t need to worry about getting to the supermarket as bosses will be covering the cost of community transport to and from the venue.

Meet-ups to help with shopping as well

The initiative has predominantly been set-up to help older people communicate with one another, but staff will also be able to help with people’s shopping.

Donna Costa, community champion at Swansea Extra Cadle spoke to Wales Online about the scheme, “At a time when communicating has never been easier, it’s sad that so many are missing out on face-to-face interaction and meaningful conversations.

“Our meetings will hopefully be a good opportunity for members of our elderly community to have a nice chat over a bit of lunch. We will also have store colleagues available to help anyone who would like to do any shopping.”

Organisers of the events are hoping to attract people from all walks of life so older people who may struggle to get out and often require the use of stair lifts in their home or to get around their garden can get out and socialise.

Connor James, business manager at Age Cymru Swansea Bay, adds, “We’re hoping to bring together people from all walks of life to help them meet new people and make new friends.”

Organisers of the events are encouraging anyone living in Swansea or Bridgend who is struggling with loneliness to call 01792 64 88 66 to find out more information about the events available.

Find more information on stairlifts in Port Talbot and Aberdare today.