With many feeling isolated and lonely during lockdown, one care team has launched a new scheme to support the most vulnerable in Cumbria.

Bellcare Domiciliary Services has introduced its new all-expenses-covered buddy service for all elderly customers facing loneliness during the pandemic, due to being unable to see family and friends.

The group, which covers north and west Cumbria, makes scheduled visits to their clients regularly, but the current Covid guidance is making this more difficult.

But with the new buddy scheme in place, the team hopes this will no longer be the case.

Registered manager, Debbie Ellwood, said: “With current Coronavirus restrictions some of our elderly clients have highlighted that they miss seeing people’s smiles and having a good Cumbrian craic.

"Some of our clients don’t have family and the only people they see at the moment is the Bellcare carers.

“To prevent our clients feeling lonely we have decided to launch ‘Bellcare Buddies’ which is a volunteer led project to try and tackle loneliness within our communities. Volunteers just need to be chatty, friendly, up for a laugh and have some interesting tales!”

Bellcare is currently appealing for volunteers from across the county, including Maryport, Wigton, Workington, Whitehaven, Keswick, and Penrith, to help out with the scheme, with the perfect people being those who would enjoy sparing a few hours to week to visit the elderly for a chat and a laugh.

Debbie added: “Retired people who have a little more time on their hands would be great, but all ages are welcome to get in touch.

"We will process all DBS checks, obtain references, and provide training and a company induction to all volunteers.

"All of the chosen ‘Bellcare Buddies’ will be issued with an I.D badge which they will need to show on arrival.”

The care agency will be running the project, including paying for volunteers travel costs to-and-from the locations, DBS checks and all associated training costs.

To get involved, email debbie@bellcare.co.uk, or call 01900 872030.