A PROJECT by a former Mayor of Worcester to help the elderly and vulnerable has helped raise £70,000 since its inception.

Cllr Alan Amos' 'Come on In' scheme, which launched back in 2014 with the ultimate aim of tackling loneliness, has smashed all expectations.

The project was started as response to growing concern about the number of pensioners in the city living alone.

As well as luncheon clubs, activities like film watching and clubs, it has broadened its remit in recent months and now aims to raise cash from third-party fundraising sources to prop up worthy causes for people of all ages.

St Clement's Church, near St John's, has just secured £10,000 to help develop its youth activities - money which has come from a lottery grant after the application bid was backed by Come on In.

A new youth worker at the church, Heidi Murphy, has helped the money get off to a good start by welcoming in Year 10 pupils from Christopher Whitehead Language College, who paid it a visit to see how the church is maintained as part of their GCSE syllabus.

Cllr Amos said: "I am absolutely delighted.

"Not only is this another £10,000 for the city of Worcester but it is £10,000 going to an organisation who will use the award wisely, and ensure we see good value for money."

Come on In was started after research from Age UK revealed more than 50,000 over-60s in Worcestershire said they often feel lonely.

Some 17 per cent of over-65s said they were in contact with family, friends or neighbours less than once a week, and for 11 per cent it was less than once per month.

Over half of all people aged 75 and over in Worcestershire live alone.

But as well as social get-togethers for older people, Cllr Amos wants Come on In to support the young too.

He said he wants Come in In to "help organisations access funding for other needs in the community".

For more details on how it works or if you want to get involved yourself, email alan.amos@worcester.gov.uk.