Why we wanted to give back

The first week of June marks Volunteers’ Week, a celebration to say thank you for the huge contribution kind-hearted Brits make to society

- KIM WILLIS

‘It’s a beautiful way to combat loneliness in the community’

Lynn Carratt, 38, volunteers with the elderly at The Posh Club and runs a boutique PR company, E20 Communications. She lives in London with her husband, James. As Frankie Valli belted out his smash 1970s hit, My Eyes AdoredYou, I looked around the room at a sea of happy faces. Men and women in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s were on the dance floor, twirling, jiving, and laughing. Even those who required walking sticks and wheelchairs were on the dance floor, too, having a ball. I was exhausted after a busy morning helping set up the venue, decorating tables, counting out teacups, and slicing sandwiches, but it was worth the aching feet to see so many smiles.

It was November 2018 when I read about The Posh Club and signed up to volunteer at their Hackney venue. The glamorous social club for older people holds ‘posh’ afternoon-tea events, with volunteer waiters in black tie, vintage crockery, and lots of cake, in five locations across London and the South East. I loved the idea of older people getting dressed up and having fun, and thought it was such a beautiful way to combat loneliness in the community.