Students have been celebrating volunteering with Bangor Students’ Union for 70 years, with a Tea Party for local residents.
The Tea Party Project was launched in 1952 and was the beginning of the volunteering journey Bangor students have been following ever since. The Tea Party is an organised afternoon tea and entertainment for elderly residents at Christmas and around St David’s Day. Over the years, the Tea Parties have provided the elderly community with an opportunity to get out and socialise and have helped reduce loneliness and isolation.
To celebrate this special anniversary the student volunteers at Undeb Bangor, Bangor’s Students’ Union, hosted a special 70-year anniversary Christmas Tea Party. This wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic project leaders and volunteers who worked hard to provide this magical experience and cultivate the long-standing relationship with the local community.
Elderly residents from Bangor and Bethesda were invited to attend the afternoon. The residents were transported to PJ Hall in Bangor’s Main Arts Building on College Road. Upon arrival they were greeted to the festive tunes of Undeb Bangor’s Concert Band. Bangot University’s Vice Chancellor; Professor Edmund Burke opened the afternoon with a welcoming speech before the residents were treated to afternoon tea and got a taste of Bangor University’s famous chocolate brownies. Artists Alys Williams and Osian Williams from the band Blodau Papur amazed the audience with their hypnotising performance before a fun hour of Bingo with Sam Dickins, Vice President of Societies and Volunteering at Undeb Bangor. Celt John, UMCB President at Undeb Bangor finished the afternoon with a mesmerising piano solo. It certainly was a fun-packed afternoon for all involved.
Project Leader, Vanessa Mann, a 3rd year undergraduate studying Psychology with Clinical and Health Psychology at the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University was the dedicated volunteer behind the success of the 70-year anniversary Christmas Tea Party.
Vanessa said: “The Christmas Tea party was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate 70 years of students volunteering at Bangor University and promoted the close relationship between the university and the local community through our student volunteering projects. The tea party and many of our other projects have provided the elderly in Bangor with an opportunity to get out and socialise and help reduce loneliness and isolation. These intergenerational activities connect different generations, share skills and experiences, and has contributed to the development of a more cohesive community in Bangor.”
Mair Rowlands, Director, Undeb Bangor, said: “I was so proud of our student volunteers and our staff team who support them for hosting such a fantastic event. It was wonderful to see so many older people from the local community enjoying themselves and interacting with our students. Our volunteering projects are student led at Undeb Bangor, with students giving their time freely to benefit the local community, people and environment. They really are a credit to Undeb Bangor and the University.
“Student Volunteering Bangor is continuing to build back after the challenges of the pandemic and I’m excited about the fantastic work each one of the projects does.”
Rob Samuel, Membership Development Manager, Undeb Bangor, said: “Undeb Bangor Volunteers and staff are already excited for the next Tea Party, which will be held on the 1st of March. This will be a brilliant opportunity to enjoy and connect with the elderly community to celebrate St David’s Day, an important day for Welsh language and culture.
“All existing Service Users will receive a formal invite through the post.
“We welcome any new attendees to join us for our Tea Parties. Sign up (for yourself or a relative or friend) by contacting staff at our Student Centre (01248 388000) or the Tea Party e-mail, teaparty@undebbangor.com with full name, address, contact number, transport needs and dietary requirements/allergies.”
Date of next event: 1st March 2023
