Meet the Founder

Hello! I'm Rebecca, Director of Time for Tea Companions.

It’s an absolute honour to be trusted by families to support their loved ones, and my journey into this work is one that’s deeply personal and close to my heart.

Three years ago, I came across an advertisement at my doctor’s surgery that piqued my interest. It read, “Can you spare an hour a week to make someone’s armchair lonely?”. The ad was calling for volunteers for a company called Reconnections, which provided face-to-face companionship services for older people who identified themselves as lonely.

I’ve always loved working with people and had a passion for volunteering, so it seemed like the perfect fit. After reaching out, I was paired with my first connection: a lovely lady named Doreen, who was in her 90s and lived not far from me. Doreen could no longer drive and lived quite a distance from the local shops, leaving her feeling isolated. Her family adored her but, like so many, were busy with their own families and couldn’t visit as often as they would have liked.

When I first met Doreen, she greeted me warmly and asked if I had many older friends. With a charming laugh, she declared herself “very old!”— at a fantastic 93 years old! From that moment, she captivated me with her wit and warmth.

I began visiting Doreen every week. We spent our time chatting, playing Scrabble (she beat me every single time!), and enjoying cappuccinos and cake at her favourite local café. Those visits quickly became a highlight of my week.

A couple of months into my time with Doreen, I received a call from Reconnections. Their government funding had been cut, and they were closing their doors to allow other services deemed more critical to receive support instead.

I was heartbroken and immediately asked, “What about my visits with Doreen?” They told me I could continue seeing her as a private arrangement if I wished. Without hesitation, I asked Doreen if she’d like me to keep visiting. Her answer was a resounding yes.

And so, I continued my visits. I’ve followed Doreen’s journey from her home, to an independent living facility, and now into a care home. Over the years, she’s changed in many ways, but her infectious smile and positive outlook on life have remained constant. She continues to inspire me, and I’m honoured to have celebrated milestones with her, including her 97th birthday!!

Doreen is the reason I do what I do. She taught me to always look for the positive, to see the person behind the illness or disability, and to truly honour who they are at their core. She has changed a lot since we first met, she can't play scrabble any more but she still enjoys a cappuccino. But she has changed me even more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for everything Doreen!

If I’m lucky enough to meet and support your family member, I will bring everything Doreen has taught me along the way. Her legacy lives on in every connection I make and every effort I put into helping others feel valued, seen, and loved.

Doreen