Volunteers from Friends Provident International (FPI) have teamed up with the Southern Befrienders, a charity which meets the social needs of the area’s aging population.
A total of nine volunteers will each donate one hour per week to provide much-needed company for older residents who are housebound or living alone.
Volunteers can help out in a number of ways, from popping in for a chat to helping out with simple tasks around the home.
FPI places such importance on this worthwhile cause that volunteers have been allowed to allocate time from their working schedule to take part.
The first stage of the process will involve trainers from Southern Befrienders preparing the FPI employees for the role ahead. Staff will be matched where possible, ensuring the volunteers have something in common with the people they are visiting.
Southern Befrienders Scheme Coordinator, Maddie Porter, said that the charity was in constant demand to meet the social needs of elderly residents in the south of the Island who are in need of company.
"There is a pressing need for volunteers of all ages and we are extremely grateful for the pro-active approach being taken by FPI," she said.
"The elderly population in our area often feel lonely and isolated because they have very little social interaction and volunteers can really make a difference."
