Royal Air Force Association support service for those feeling lonely
The Royal Air Forces Association is encouraging serving RAF members, ex-members and their families in Bury St Edmunds to contact its befriending service if they may be suffering from loneliness.
Volunteers pay regular visits to those in need and are specifically trained to deal with issues such as grief, loss and depression, particularly in older people.
Over hundreds of people responded to last year's befriending services, a figure Rory O'Connor, the charity's Welfare and Policy Director hopes to see this improve in the Bury St Edmunds area.
He said: "We know from the Office for National Statistics Data, that five per cent of adults in England last year reported feeling lovely 'often' or 'always'. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can be a serious issue for people who served in the RAF because, when they retire, they suddenly lose the camaraderie of being part of a close-knit community of colleagues."
Time spent with volunteers often consists of reminiscing about times spent in the RAF and battling loneliness.
In order to reach out yourself or on behalf of someone else, call 0800 018 2361 or visit rafa.org.uk/befriending.