LONELINESS could become a thing of the past for many elderly and housebound people in Horwich thanks to a new service.

Following the success of visiting services in neighbouring areas, a scheme is being set up in the town matching volunteers with people they can befriend and visit in their own homes.

A survey carried out in the town several months ago by healthcare professionals showed that more than 50 people who were housebound would benefit from someone visiting them regularly and would welcome a new friend.

A steering committee was set up to look into the possibility of setting up a visiting service.

Funding from Bolton Social Services has now been found to pay for a part time administrator and Horwich Town Council is contributing towards office equipment.

The scheme will be officially launched on February 4 at Horwich Clinic.

Horwich Visiting Service's acting secretary and treasurer Ray Collett stressed that volunteers would not be expected to act like unpaid home helps or health visitors.

Instead they would take on the role of a good neighbour or friend popping in for a chat to provide company for people who are lonely.

Mr Collett says pressures of modern living, with more people out at work, mean that families often have less time to devote to elderly relatives and the new service can help step into the breach.

"Families still love these people but they often have families of their own and are not able to visit as often as they would like to," he said.

"A lot of people who are stuck in the house might never see another person day after day."

Volunteers of any age are needed who can commit at least one hour a week to visit someone and the co-ordinator will match them with appropriate people.

It is hoped that the service will be up and running by spring and in the meantime anyone wanting to volunteer, would like to have someone visit them or is considering applying for the co-ordinator's post can contact Mr Collett on 667849 or leave their details at Horwich Clinic.

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