A Maldon-based charity is seeking more volunteers to befriend those most likely to experience loneliness or social isolation in Essex - elderly residents, people with learning disabilities, those with mental health needs and family carers.

The charity, Action for Family Carers (AFFC), runs Essex Befriends in partnership with the Hamelin Trust, Independent Age and Mind in West Essex. The free service receives between 70 and 100 referrals a month.

Volunteer coordinator Julie Atkinson said: "At the beginning of the pandemic, we had a lot of people volunteering, but now people have gone back to work and are busy going out again, so people are stepping back from doing that. We still need as many volunteers as we can get."

The charity was inundated with referrals at the beginning of the pandemic, and received over 140 referrals a month in March and April.

Julie said: "It's tailed off a bit now, but we still get at least 70 to 100 referrals every month, so it's quite difficult trying to match those with people all the time.

"We really desperately need more befriending volunteers."

The service matches each client with a befriender who can support them in various ways - they may chat to them over the phone, go for a coffee or walk, visit them at home or accompany them to a group or activity.

Julie said: "What we try to do is look at what they want to do to help reduce their isolation."

Due to the pandemic, most of the meetings are currently being held over the phone, but the service is beginning to restart face-to-face sessions since restrictions have been lifted.

The service is dedicated to suiting volunteers' different schedules. Julie said: "It doesn't have to take up a lot of time, it's quite flexible - it can just be an hour a week, if you only had time to speak to one person. If people have got more time, we can match them with more than one person."

She added: "Even just one person, it makes a huge difference to that person."

Volunteers can apply and complete training online, and are closely supported throughout the process as the service has four facilitators which cover different areas. Julie said: "Volunteers have always got someone to contact, so they're not feeling like they don't know what to do."

The charity has also reopened its day centre in Brickhouse Farm to provide respite for carers and their loved ones, which is currently open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays every week.

You can apply to volunteer for Essex Befriends on the website using the link here. You can also contact the service via email at [email protected].