Contact the Elderly organises tea parties for almost 900 elderly people in Scotland

The work of those who give their time to help improve the lives of the elderly has been celebrated.

More than 150 volunteers who make an immeasurable difference to the lives of older people who live alone throughout Scotland gathered at Crieff Hydro at an event organised by Contact the Elderly.

The charity's inaugural thank you awards and afternoon tea recognised outstanding examples of commitment among its 1400-strong network of volunteers.

Contact the Elderly organises free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for almost 900 people in Scotland.

Volunteer drivers collect guests and accompany them for shared afternoons of baking and a blether in volunteer hosts' homes.

Morna O' May, head of service - Scotland at Contact the Elderly, said: "Our volunteers go above and beyond to truly change the lives of older people who live alone in their local communities. They open their homes, car doors and hearts to those who would very likely otherwise be sitting at home alone with nowhere to go and no-one to see.

"Without our volunteers, we would not be able to break the cycle of social isolation as we have done and we wanted to take a moment to thank them for everything they have done and continue to do month after month, year after year for the charity's guests."