FORMER soldier Mark Lomas is encouraging people to help veterans keep in touch.

Mark served with the Cheshire Regiment, and is one of the volunteers supporting Age UK Cheshire East’s new veterans telephone befriending service.

The service, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund, started during lockdown in April, and since then contact has been made with 90 veterans who have been previously supported by the charity.

As part of that initial contact the veterans were asked if they would welcome a regular befriending call. Many have taken up that offer, and there is now a waiting list of veterans awaiting a befriender.

Veterans Keep in Touch, and its sister service, Keep in Touch, see volunteers calling an older person, usually once a week, for a chat.

An important feature of the service is that most of the volunteers making the calls to veterans are veterans themselves.

Mark said: “This is a valuable service because people get the support and develop friendships which helps not only to combat loneliness but can also get veterans additional support if they require it.

“I get to build a rapport and a friendship with ex-military like myself who perhaps would not open up to others.

“It’s also nice to give something back to the older generation. Just one call a week could make a massive difference to their lives.

“They have told me they look forward to my calls and I look forward to it too.”

The charity is looking to expand the service further to help support even more veterans, and is interested to hear from anyone who may have served in the Armed Forces who may have a half hour to spare each week to make a call.

Hazel Salter, the scheme’s co-ordinator said: “We are so proud of our new befriending service, which is making such a difference to older people’s lives at this difficult time.

“We would love to hear from any veterans who have a little time to spare.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering for the befriending service can call Hazel on 01625 612958.

More information about the Veterans Keep in Touch service can be found at ageuk.org.uk/cheshireeast/our-services/veterans-keep-in-touch/

For more information about any of Age UK Cheshire East services call 01625 612958 or go to ageukce.org