Phone service will give comfort

THE Royal Voluntary Service is setting up a new telephone befriending service in East Cheshire in collaboration with its partners, Peaks and Plains Housing Trust.

The service will provide a friendly voice at the end of the phone for older residents who a socially isolated.

Jo Roberts, service manager with the Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We know that there are people in the local area who are lonely and isolated for many different reasons.

“Our telephone befriending service gives those people a chance to chat with one of our trained volunteers.

“We hope to be able to match up volunteers with older people, so that each person speaks to the same volunteer each week, which gives them the opportunity to develop a relationship over the phone and can catch up on news.”

She added: “Our service can also provide some reassurance for family that someone is able to contact their elderly relative on a regular basis and check that they are well”.

The service is completely free to users as volunteers will make pre-determined time.

If you are interested in the service and would like a telephone befriender to contact you get in touch on 01565 651500 or 07736 825343 or email eastcheshirebefriending@ royalvoluntaryservice.org. uk.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the country and provides a befriending services for older people in the local area, including supporting them in hospital and also in their homes.

Volunteers share time with older people to help them stay active, independent and to get the best from life.