A CHARITY is expanding a service that helps to link elderly, lonely and socially isolated people with the outside world.

At a time of government and council cuts, Age Concern Worcester and District has decided to react to increasing demand for its telephone befriending service.

The free weekly telephone call service is for people who live alone, have no close family, feel isolated and lack social contact, but it can also act as a way for users to get help with other problems.

Betty Matthews, aged 94, of the Blanquettes estate in Worcester, said she relies on the service because her sons live in Birmingham, Devon and Sweden.

“Age Concern has always been very kind to me and very caring,” she said. “They ring to check I’m all right – we have been friends for a long time – and I know that if I rang them wanting anything then they would do what they could for me.”

Elsie Samson, aged 83, of Barbourne, Worcester, said she has had help with her bills, gardening, housework and maintenance, has been put in touch with an occupational therapist as well as a hairdresser.

“I feel they are always there if I want anything,” said Mrs Samson. “They always listen to you and it’s good to know you are not forgotten.

“I’m not sure where I would be without them.”

The telephone befriending service has been running for the last five years and one man, Tony Scott, has been known to call about 60 people a week.

The charity is immediately getting someone else to help deliver the service and it is expecting more people to join the scheme as cutbacks to other services kick in over the next few years.

David Clark, volunteer recruitment and media officer for Age Concern Worcester and District, said: “The person contacted will know they are not forgotten and companionship will follow into the future.

“Their well-being will be closely monitored and if we feel all is not well we can alert other services.

“People that fall into this category are normally longing to hear a friendly voice on the other end of the phone; a friendly voice that will, hopefully, bring a smile to their face once more by knowing that someone out there cares.”

For details about the service, call 01905 724294 between 9am and 1pm, and 2pm and 5pm Monday to Friday.