Tea, sympathy and someone to listen to you - sometimes that is all you need to brighten your day. If you are feeling isolated and lonely, finding someone who will listen to you whether you have good news to share or have a problem, can be difficult.

Caroline*, from Winchester, is a qualified and experienced counselling supervisor. Through the years she had done this work, she noticed how isolated people could become outside of her sessions with them. She realised how important as a counsellor she had become to them - simply because she cared and was prepared to listen without judging.

She said: "I love spending time with people of all ages, helping them with their issues, growth and development.

"My clients often seemed to have little or no support 'out there'. I wanted to offer a confidential service free of charge where anyone could write in and make contact, discuss issues or simply get some acknowledgement they exist, as a way of supporting people in the community who may not have access to, or need, a counsellor."

So Caroline came up with an alter ego, "Auntie Brenda", and set up a website called Auntie Brenda's Parlour.

Anyone can write to or e-mail Auntie Brenda for a bit of moral support or just for a friendly reply.

"Auntie Brenda is quite happy to hear good news as well as problems, to acknowledge successes, large or small," she explained. "The Auntie Brenda persona is all the best bits of me, wrapped up in a down-to-earth and accessible context. The pictures I use on the site are not of me, but of a woman who I think represents what is on offer - the comments, wisdom and caring of another ordinary human being, with some experience of life.

"Currently Auntie Brenda's Parlour offers support, information and comments, and is a contact for anyone feeling isolated or lonely.

"The site does not usually offer advice directly, and responsibility remains with the person consulting Auntie Brenda.

"The advantages of this are that the person learns to have more confidence in their own decision-making, and to learn the art of reflection, which is a great asset in times of need."

The types of people consulting Auntie Brenda's Parlour are many and varied. The issues often centre around important life issues or changes, anxiety, loss, depression or feeling "different" in some way.

"The majority of clients receiving letters or e-mails from Auntie Brenda are young people, often those with more responsibilities than persons of that age really should have," Caroline added. "Quite a few clients have been mature adults seeking some views or helpful comments on relationship issues.

"One of my favourite bits of the site is the Knitting Circle, which consists of a small 'team' of people offering comments on a person's situation, to give a more rounded view of things.

"Like the Auntie Brenda persona, they are also representative of types of individuals and reflect their views accordingly.

"Users of the site can also write in and offer their comments.

"I recently had a very nice lady consult me, looking for a knitting club - this lady lives in New Zealand and had initiated an Internet search, bringing up my website.

"I was delighted to make the acquaintance of someone so far away, and, despite the fact I cannot help with the knitting situation, I hope to hear from her again.

"Another favourite bit, which is yet to reach any stage of fruition, is the 'parlour talk' section.

"This is about all sorts of things, including, hopefully, people writing in to tell me about hotels or restaurants they visited where staff were prepared to go out of their way to be helpful, or kindness they have received at other venues - this is news that is worth circulating.

"It is also a place to write in with ideas for discussion, poetry or to advertise something.

"I'd love to have a section for 'thank yous', so the helpful people in our community can be recognised and applauded for what is often invisible caring or kindness, and maybe nominated for a gift.

"At present, I fund the site myself from my other therapeutic work.

"I am hoping to begin offering Internet counselling some time this year, once I have the finances to set it up, and maybe some other services, which would help support the time and work involved.

Website: www.auntiebrenda.co.uk

E-mail: auntie@auntiebrenda.co.uk

Write to: Auntie Brenda, PO Box 13, Winchester SO22 4BD.

*names have been changed.