Tea Time with Kate
Last month, Golden Years member and volunteer Kate M. led an excursion to the Bedford Hotel for a lovely afternoon of tea, cakes, and sandwiches.
A group of older people stand on a patio surrounded by trees. There is an umbrella with chair underneath it to their right, a planter, chairs and tables to their left.
Kate has been working in the hospitality industry for many years, attracted to the social aspect of the work and the opportunities to offer clients something special. She shared that she gets a lot of joy from creating these experiences and facilitating environments where people can forget their daily troubles and take time to focus on their own wellbeing and social connections. She applies these interests beyond her working hours, organising group carolling for her colleagues as well as residents in her block of flats.
After joining the Golden Years programme back in 2023, she generously offered to bring her skillset to the centre to organise an afternoon tea. She coordinated the event with her former colleagues at the Bedford Hotel in central London. The event was very well-received by our members, who were treated to a pampered and relaxed afternoon. Inspired by this positive reception, Kate decided to organise another tea, hoping to bring together those who previously attended the event as well as new members.
A three-tiered cake stand with sandwiches, scones, jam, butter, cakes, macarons and parfaits
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, 18 people joined Kate at the Bedford Hotel: a combination of second- and first-time visitors. Once everybody settled in, the tea services made their grand entrance! Each pair received their own cake stand, with a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, three cakes, and yoghurt.
A group of five older women sit around a long table and smile
A group of ten older people sit around a long table and smile
A group of five older women sit around a long table and smile
The group spent the next two hours enjoying the lovely food and each other’s warm company. They chatted, caught up, exchanged stories and built relationships with new Golden Years members. They also took a short walk in the gardens after the remaining food was packed up and the cake stands were taken away.
A group of older people stand next to a path of flora.
All in all, the afternoon went off without a hitch! Kate was able to fulfil her goal to give people a unique, elegant experience that many would not think to make time for or have an opportunity to participate in. We are so grateful for her initiative, and for the wonderful team at the Bedford Hotel who curated this fantastic experience.
Thank you!
If you are interested in providing experiences like this for our community members, head to our Volunteer page here.
To sign up for Golden Years and participate in these special events, click here.
