A free telephone befriending service has been launched for over 75s in Torfaen. If you or someone you know would like a regular call find out how in this story.

Call companions is a volunteer-led service from Re-engage and offers a link to older people who are at risk of falling further into social isolation because of the lockdown

Those who can be referred to this service must:

• be 75 or over.
• live alone or in sheltered housing with little or no contact with family or friends.
• struggle to leave their house at normal times.

A spokesperson said: “Do you support older people? Maybe your family member would find this beneficial? Maybe you would like to access this service yourself?

“Our call companion’s idea is very simple. A volunteer call companion calls the same older person between two and four times a month at a mutually agreed time for an informal chat. Calls will last for around 30 minutes.”

How to refer to Call Companions

Click this link to refer to Call Companions and someone will contact you. You can refer yourself or be referred by someone else- as long as consent is given.