NEW trustees, volunteers and drivers are needed to help older people living in the Ferndown and Verwood area get out and enjoy life more.

Age Concern is looking for more people to join its branch in this area, in order to build on and continue the work already being done to combat loneliness in old age.

Volunteer Alexander McKibbin joined the group to give something back after he retired.

"I quickly realised that there remains a great deal of work to be done assisting the elderly in our locality," he said. "The problems this much neglected group face on a daily-basis are well known but regrettably still prevalent. Loneliness, isolation, ill health and lack of access to transport make, for many, a sad and unenviable existence."

The group runs two weekly lunch clubs, each in different locations, a mini bus home pick up service and annual outings.

He said current helpers are getting older themselves and were hoping younger people would come and replace them.

"They naturally feel strongly about what will happen to their work and important legacy but overwhelmingly they worry about the future generations of individuals who are increasingly poorly catered for by local government," he said.

The group especially needs drivers to help continue the trips out.

If you'd like to know more about the volunteer positions available, contact Alexander on

01425 511723.