AGE Concern Okehampton and Torridge is calling on people over 18 to give two hours a week to support older people through a new project.

The Home Support project is looking to find a large number of volunteers who can offer companionship and simple assistance to older people who may live on their own without support from family or friends.

Volunteers need to be good at listening, and able to keep confidences as well as pass on requests to the charity's other services.

Chief officer Barrie Duke said: 'It will tackle a problem that we cannot ignore.

'There are too many people living alone in local towns and villages as well as the countryside who are suffering from some form of depression associated with not getting out, having no-one to talk to and being overcome with the complexity of life today.

'We are concerned that everyone living alone or with a carer who needs a friendly contact should be offered help. We draw no distinction about whether someone is receiving benefits or allowances.

'Many with private pensions are also finding their lives are a constant battle of making ends meet. The rural idyll is fast becoming a prison sentence for those who want to remain in their own homes in later life.

'The project will link initially with those who have been referred to us, by the NHS, GPs and health visitors with whom we meet on a regular basis, in order to work out where there is help available in the voluntary sector.

'Our volunteers are overwhelmed by the number of calls we are receiving for help and assistance. We received three only last week.'

Project manager Barbara Dalton will be at the West Devon Community and Volunteer Services Centre on East Street,?Okehampton, on Wednesday, September 26 from 9.30am to 1pm to tell people about the scheme, and the necessary CRB checks and training given to new volunteers.

For more information call Barrie Duke on 01837 53409 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]