ST JOHN Ambulance Australia Tasmania, with the support of the Beaconsfield District Health Service, will offer a Befriender program to West Tamar residents for the first time this year.
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Befriender aims to provide support and companionship to members of the community who are in need or lonely.
Participants of the program are matched with caring volunteers who visit people in their homes or accompany them on outings to cafes or shops.
The program is part of St John Ambulance Australia Tasmania's Community Care Service, a service which offers caring support and friendship for people in need and seeks to assist eligible people have a more independent lifestyle.
Community volunteer Cathy Minchin said there were plenty of benefits to all people involved in Befriender.
"For the volunteers, some of the benefits are things like they get to learn new skills - they get a First Aid certificate for free," she said.
"It's an opportunity to contribute back to the community and help enhance another person's life, someone who is feeling very isolated and lonely.
"For the people who are having volunteers come and help them, it helps them connect with the community.
"They'll have somebody to talk to so they don't feel as though they're on their own."
St John Ambulance Australia Tasmania is recruiting volunteers who would like to become a Befriender.
If you are interested in becoming a Befriender or would like more information contact Beaconsfield District Health Service on 67026060 or St John Ambulance Australia Tasmania Launceston branch on 63434226.
If you would like a Befriender volunteer to visit you, contact TasCarepoint on 1300769699.
