A BEFRIENDING service, keeping potentially lonely and isolated people in touch with the outside world, is proving even more vital during the coronavirus pandemic.

Age UK North Craven is just one of the community support organisations offering the service, which has moved from face to face visits to ‘phone befriending’.

Along with befriending, the charity has also helped with advice including on how to get blue badges.

Julie Davies, Age UK North Craven, said: “The befriending service was face to face before Covid; we then moved to phone befriending. The numbers grew rapidly during the first lockdown and we responded.

“The feedback from our clients is that they cannot see an end to this, it is especially hard for those who are isolating for whatever reason or due to poor mobility cannot get out and cannot have visitors.”

She added: “Phone befriending has given them an opportunity to share their worries and anxieties - it gives people emotional support. It is so important that people do not feel forgotten or invisible.

“The befrienders are making a big difference which is hard to measure and we give them ongoing support. On an upbeat note there is some laughter and cheerfulness and wonderful stories that get back to us.”

Marie-Ann Jackson, head of stronger communities, North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Since April our community volunteers have made over 30,000 befriending calls to residents who are self-isolating both to check there are ok and also to have a friendly chat. We know that many of the volunteers who do this are themselves self-isolating and this is a great way that they can offer their support.”

And, Gary Fielding, corporate director of strategic resources, praised the work being carried out by community support organisations across the whole of the county.

“The effort from all of the CSOs across North Yorkshire throughout the pandemic has been utterly tremendous.

“Their help in co-ordinating voluntary efforts to get to those who need it most has taken the county through the first lockdown and into the changing world as it adapted to Covid, and now into Lockdown 2.

“Especially as the days get shorter and darker and the weather colder, it’s important not to forget that conversation is a key thing to combat loneliness and isolation.

“That’s why the befriending services co-ordinated by the CSOs are more important than ever in keeping people safe, happy and healthy during the Coronavirus pandemic.”