A SOUTHAMPTON charity is looking for drivers who have just 30 minutes spare a week.

Befriending charity Communicare needs volunteers who can help lonely and isolated residents get to a weekly lunch club.

The club at St Mark's Church is open to people from all walks of life - but many elderly people struggle to get there. Now Communicare is asking those who might be free from 9am-4pm during the week to give a helping hand.

As reported more than a third of Southampton's elderly population say they feel lonely.

Manager Annie Clewlow said: “We’re a friendly, neighbourhood charity that enriches the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around the city.

“Our lunch club in Archers Road is run in partnership with St Mark’s Church and staffed by our committed, kind-hearted Communiteers, who act as good neighbours, generously providing a weekly natter, cuppa, lunch and a game of Scrabble or similar social activities, as well as other practical and emotional support.

“We have lots of people who would like to come along to our club, but they need help getting to it and we urgently need more volunteer drivers to provide just a little bit of time each week to help.

“Although we can find roles for most people wishing to assist us and will not turn individuals away, we’re ideally looking for those who have time to spare between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Friday. This is when those that use all our general services require assistance.

“We’re keen to hear from individuals who can help, even if they have just 30 minutes every now and then to spare, and, also, groups that already operate in the community who could help, such as Neighbourhood Watch groups, book clubs, WI groups, flower arranging clubs, all sorts really.

“Even when people have only a few minutes to spare and are not available on a regular basis, there are ways in which they can really help to make a difference to someone who needs support.”

Communiteers are offered simple and basic training on topics such as safeguarding, manual handling and developing listening skills.

They can choose their level of involvement and the types of activities they wish to engage in.

Support provided is at a neighbourly level and Communicare does not offer professional, personal care, which can be given by statutory providers, or routine cleaning or gardening.

Communicare currently has nearly 200 Communiteers and their Good Neighbours’ Network supports nearly 400 individuals or families annually, covering 671 different tasks including one-to-one befriending, transport to activities such as lunch club and tea parties and shopping.

The service is free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able. Communiteers are offered expenses.

Communicare currently has nearly 200 Communiteers and has launched a campaign to double this number to be able to support more people through all the services it offers, not just the lunch club.

Drivers work 30 minutes to an hour a week, or on a pre-agreed ‘on-call’ basis, depending on the individual’s availability. If you can spare a few hours, call 023 8021 6022.