A WIDOWER has praised a charity which helps isolated elderly people to meet new friends, as the service seeks new volunteers in the county.

Bill, 88, from Pershore, became lonely after his wife Edith died two years ago but has now found himself socialising again with the help of Age UK’s Reconnections service for Worcestershire, after going to its lunch club in May.

Bill, who was a chef in the RAF, said: “I went to the lunch club and there were 50 people in the same situation as me.

“Everyone was talking to each other, simply because they were lonely.

“It was lovely and they filled my expectations and it’s opened a door in my life.”

Bill added: “The lunch club gave me a start – I was a little apprehensive to make the move, but they’re nice people.

“I’m ready to go out again now – it’s moved me from the sofa.

“I’ve been so independent all my life, I want someone to knock on the door and say 'come and have a cup of tea'.”

The charity needs volunteers to help more people like Bill.

Reconnections volunteer Charlie Wisdom, 27, from Kidderminster, said: “Volunteering is very rewarding when you see the person start to enjoy life again.

“It broadens your horizons and I get to hear so many stories.

“It’s helped me grow as a person but it does make me think that social isolation could happen to any of us.”

In addition to Reconnections Bill is going to receive a regular weekly phone call from ‘Call in Time’, which is a national Age UK telephone befriending service.

There are around 35,000 socially isolated people in the country and so far, the project – which has been running for four years – has received 3,000 referrals.

At the moment only those aged over 50 are helped by the scheme but the charity is looking to support younger people.

Volunteering is flexible around work and life commitments and and anyone interested can contact the charity on 01905 740954.

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