Treasured gift of company for lonely

An Island charity says a friendly face and the company of others has been top of the wish list for many clients this Christmas.

Live at Home operates befriending schemes around the Island, offering visits, days out, weekly lunches and hobby groups for elderly people who live independently, but alone.  

The charity currently offers 200 hours of one-to-one contact every week and in the past year, the number of social groups it runs has risen from 17 to 24.

A major effort's been made in the run-up to Christmas to ensure everyone on their books has had a sociable Christmas experience.

Jan Farrell who runs the Douglas Live at Home scheme says the reaction from clients speaks for itself: