A CHARITY has made a determined plea for volunteers across the region – particularly in one Suffolk market town.

Independent Age, which aims to provide lifelong support for older people on very low incomes, is focusing a recruitment drive in Woodbridge.

The charity has built a nationwide network of volunteer visitors with the intention of making a difference to the lives of older people by offering information, advice and friendship.

Volunteers can join one-to-one and group befriending schemes and lend practical help to older people in their neighbourhood.

The personal approach gives Independent Age use the knowledge needed to help influence policy and practice in the future.

Rosemary Buisseret, area manager for East Anglia, said: “We tackle older people’s poverty and loneliness by offering information, advice and friendship.

“For those who need it, we also offer befriending and support from an Independent Age volunteer.

“We support over 6,000 older people across the UK and Ireland and are in urgent of new people to join our dedicated network of volunteer visitors in Woodbridge.

“As a volunteer you’d be matched with an older person living near you, giving them the opportunity to see a friendly, familiar face on a regular basis – perhaps dropping by for a coffee and a chat, checking that someone is all right or arranging a trip to the local shops.

“You can give as little or as much time as you can spare and by committing a couple of hours a month you can help to brighten the life of an older person living in your local community.”

Independent Age was founded nearly 150 years ago, but recently merged with two other older people’s charities – Counsel and Care and the Universal Beneficent Society – to provide a broader range of services.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in your area, and to request an application pack, contact Rosemary Buisseret by calling on 01480 420090 or e-mail rosemary.buisseret@independentage.org.uk

All new volunteers receive a full induction and can reclaim expenses.