Charity shocked by lack of interest

A Leeds-based charity that supports lonely older people has been shocked by the lack of residents coming forward to join its social activities.

- By Barry Gardner Contributor

Reengage started a group for those aged 75 and over at the beginning of the year fully confident that it would be oversubscribed. But the charity has had to suspend the activities because of poor attendance. Just one or two turned up to play skittles and have a coffee and chat. Farooq Muzammal, who volunteered to lead the twice-monthly meetings at Leeds Media Centre in Savill Mount, said: "I'm really surprised that we have had a lack of people wanting to come. I really believed we would have too many but sadly that's not the case.