A Frome charity providing a lifeline for the lonely and isolated is stepping up its vital service during the coronavirus outbreak.

Active and In Touch has not only transferred its face-to-face befriending service to a phone-based one in the light of Government social distancing guidelines, but also increased the number of people being supported.

A total of 140 people - or 'members' as the charity calls them - previously visited by a team of 100 volunteers are now being contacted via the telephone service set up by the charity in January.

But since the start of coronavirus self-isolation and requirement to stay at home an additional 40-plus Frome residents have come forward asking for the charity's help.

To meet this increase in demand, Active and In Touch appealed for more volunteers - with 55 new befrienders responding to the call in just a week.

And there can be no doubt that the service is proving invaluable to the local community as director Dougie Brown shared three heartwarming stories with Frome Nub News.

Dougie said: "We are so proud to be able to support our community during these difficult days.

"Of those who have asked for our telephone befriending service recently three stand out as examples of how much the service is needed.

"One lady contacted us via email from Singapore after becoming increasingly concerned about her elderly mother, who lives in Frome, to ask if we could contact her and help where needed.

"Imagine being stuck thousands of miles away from your vulnerable mum during these unprecedented times and worrying about her wellbeing from afar.

"Well, we are now in regular contact and offer help when needed, such as with shopping.

"We were also made aware of a lady who was lonely and wanted our help...but is deaf. She is now in contact with a volunteer by text message and the pair have even started writing to each other.

"And one of our trustees, who works in Asda, was concerned for an elderly gentleman she saw out shopping. He's 81 and told her he had no one to help and felt lonely and isolated.

"She told him about the charity - but discovered he didn't have a landline or mobile phone.

"So another trustee offered her old phone and a charger - in fact three old phones in case we have other people in the same situation - and now the gentleman has been set up to receive calls. We also went to do his first shop for him today."

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 will always receive a call from the same volunteer - with similar interests whenever possible.

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

Volunteers commit to one half-hour call 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 about Active and In Touch visit here their web site