Men attending Re-engage tea party groups are outnumbered by women by about five to one. But that doesn’t deter them from joining in and getting a great deal from participating.

We’ve spoken to men from across the country, and here's what they say:

Michael, 80, is a former bank operations manager and lives in Chesham. His wife, Anne, died a couple of years ago. They had been married for 52 years. He said: “Talking to people of a similar age is important because they have the same memories.

“When Anne was alive we could discuss a TV programme or such like. But now I have no one to bounce things off at home. There are two other men who go to the tea parties and we discuss football and put the world to rights. They’re important social occasions for me and I always make sure they’re in the diary.” 

Former architect John, 87, from Melton Mowbray, lives alone. His wife has been in a care home for some years and he has been attending tea parties since 2021: “I have good neighbours and family but there are still times when I feel isolated,” he said. “Some days I just don’t see anyone. It’s mostly women in our group but that doesn’t make me feel awkward or out of place. The most important thing is having company.”

Ian, 84, has been on his own since wife, Christine, died in 2012. He joined the Laurencekirk tea party group before the Covid pandemic: He explained: “I hadn’t really thought about joining one until my daughter - who’s a host - mentioned it to me. I really enjoy them. There are three other men and we talk about gardening and things that are going on in the area. I would really miss them if they stopped.”

And finally Gordon, 86 from Coulsdon, Surrey, who lives in sheltered accommodation. His group coordinator, Carlie Sawyer, said: “One of our drivers spotted Gordon sitting alone by a pond and asked if he would like to join our tea party. He did and loves them. He doesn’t join in the conversation. He says he just wants to sit and listen, that’s what makes him happy.

“I suppose you could say Gordon didn’t find us – we found him.”