A Frome charity providing a lifeline for the lonely and isolated will be returning to offering a face-to-face service from tomorrow (June 6).

Active and In Touch transferred to a telephone-only service when the Government imposed strict coronavirus social distancing guidelines.

But, from tomorrow, Active and In Touch has given volunteers and those they support - 'members' as the charity calls them - the green light to meet up.

Director Dougie Brown told Frome Nub News: "From tomorrow we are relaxing our restrictions in line with Government guidelines so that volunteers can start to meet up with their members whilst continuing to follow social distancing - provided both the volunteer and member are happy to do so.

"This is in response not only to the Government's new guidelines but also because many volunteers have said that they would like to start meeting members again as soon as they are permitted to help build a better rapport.

"I have already been inundated with volunteers and members who plan to meet in the coming days.

"We are suggesting that meet-ups should be in open spaces, such as gardens and parks.

"Volunteers should not enter members' homes or touch anything that the member will then touch, adhere to the two-metre social distancing rule and ensure their hands are clean and take hand sanitiser with them."

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Dougie is also providing volunteers with facemasks on request.

"This is a positive move forward for the charity and is being welcomed by our members and volunteers alike.

"However, our telephone service will continue for those who wish or require it," added Dougie.

The number of people asking for the charity's support rose dramatically from 140 pre-coronavirus outbreak to the current 220.

But, thanks to the support of the local community, volunteer numbers have also increased from 80 to 180 during the same period.

However, Dougie is still keen to recruit additional volunteers.

Active and In Touch is entirely reliant on donations and grants to support lonely and isolated people, over the age of 18, to improve their health and wellbeing.

Volunteers are carefully matched to members - who always receive a call from the same volunteer.

Every volunteer is either DBS-checked by the charity or holds one already and currently new volunteers receive phone guidance and safeguarding information via email.

Volunteers commit to one half-hour call or visit to their designated member per week, although in practice many do so more frequently and for a longer duration.

Anyone who would like the charity's support - or would like to volunteer - either short-term or long-term should telephone 07539 795261.

For more information visit the website https://activeandintouch.weebly.com/ or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/activeandintouchfrome/.