Mayor serves up tea and companionship at chosen charity event

The new Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Janet Goodwin, has rolled up her sleeves and got stuck into her role by helping out at one of her chosen charities for the year, Not Home Alone.

This unique local charity provides respite for elderly people living alone in Northern Lincolnshire by organising social events at times when families and friends usually spend time together. These include Christmas Day, Easter and the most recent event – a summer afternoon tea held at The Oaklands in Grimsby.

The Mayor and her consort – her  husband Barry – helped to serve food to 86 people who attended the event.

The charity is run entirely by volunteers and was set up by local resident Nina Stobart and her family 10 years ago. What started as a small Christmas Day meal at Millers in Waltham in the first year, has now turned into a gathering of 80 to 100 people at the Oaklands several times a year.

Cllr Goodwin said: “This charity is incredible. There is nothing else like it in the country really, and I am so proud to be supporting it in my Mayoral year.

“Nina and her volunteers are amazing. They organise these fantastic events for elderly people who are often completely alone. They even pick them up if they have no transport and take them out to socialise with people who are in a similar position.“

The role of Mayor in North East Lincolnshire will see Cllr Goodwin visit all corners of the borough, meeting representatives of charities, community organisations and businesses, as well as representing the Council at official functions. Alongside Not Home Alone, she is also supporting Women’s Aid this year.

Cllr Goodwin continued: “I get invited to lots of events but I really wanted to be hands on at Not Home Alone, and I took along my rubber gloves in case I needed to help wash the pots.

“It was a privilege to help serve the food, and I urge people if they see a shout out for volunteers for this charity to please consider getting involved because it is a truly amazing cause.”

Nina Stobart said afterwards: “The Mayor was wonderful and really got stuck in! We truly are grateful for her support this year, we are honoured to be chosen as one of her charities of the year alongside Women’s Aid.”