Local people are asked to become befrienders

39% of older people in Northern Ireland live alone - with many not having close family alive, or living near them. Others are too infirm to venture out to socialise in the community, and having a befriender call with them is often their only point of contact with the outside world.

Drumbeg woman Kathleen Whitten has spoken of the benefits of volunteering after befriending 98-year-old Mrs Young.

"I wanted to volunteer some of my time for something worthy and I can honestly say that I too look forward to that one hour a week," she said. " Mrs Young is a character and tells some great stories and I really enjoy our time together."

Mrs Young said: "As I am in a residential home, I see other people with streams of family visiting them and unfortunately, as my niece and her family live so far away, I do not get any visitors.

"BCM paired me with Kathleen, who visits me once a week and really gives me something to look forward to. As I am 98 years young, we unfortunately can't get out and about to meet, but if I was ten years younger I would be out meeting her in a caf for a cup of tea."

The befriending scheme entitled 'Loneliness - one hour of my time made the difference', is a cross-community initiative.

BCM is now seeking more volunteers, particularly those in Lisburn, of any age who are prepared to give one hour of their time regularly to visit an older, isolated person.

Brian Burns, Director of BCM, said: "We act a bit like matchmakers in this initiative, as we work to partner a volunteer who can commit one hour of their time to provide companionship to an older person in need."

Janet Sewell, Community Services Manager for BCM, said: "Kathleen and Mrs Young, who feature on our billboard campaign promoting the scheme, are just two of the people already involved in the project, but we would love to extend this to other areas."

If you are interested in becoming a befriender or if you, or someone you know, would be in need of a befriender, you can contact BCM on 9024 1917, or visit www.belfastcentralmission.org. Training, guidance and support is provided.

Poster girls Mrs Young (98) and her befriender, Mrs Kathleen Whitten from Drumbeg, receive a bouquet each from Janet Sewell of BCM.