Christmas can be an especially lonely time for pensioners living on their own. Sin Davies reports on a group of volunteers who tackle the problem.

FOR most people, waking up on Christmas Day to a mountain of presents and the promise of a turkey dinner with overcooked Brussel sprouts is a feeling that can't be beaten.

But for others the thought of Christmas only brings a feeling of dread.

While some families moan over the prospect of sharing the day with an army of relatives who simply argue, drink too much or fall asleep, others would just long for the opportunity to share the day with someone else.

Across Hampshire it is estimated that hundreds of elderly people will face the festive season alone.

The chances are their families have grown up and moved out of the area or their partners have passed away. Either way the result is the same - an elderly person left on their own for the so-called festive season.

So in a bid to tackle the problem schemes have been set up across the county to befriend elderly people who do not have the regular support of family or close friends.

An army of volunteers has been recruited through a network of churches, charities and associations who visit elderly people living in their own homes or in rest homes on a regular basis.

According to them the need to make sure elderly people know there is someone out there who cares is greater than ever at Christmas time.

Sandra Smith, the president of Age Concern Southampton, believes befriending schemes are vital to stop the elderly becoming depressed and lonely.

She said: "If you take an average street in Southampton most people get up go straight to work so the road is really quiet during the day. Then people come home, shut their doors and get on with their family life.

"Not a lot of people take much notice of other residents in their street and this is particularly worse in the winter time when people get home and stay home.

"In the summer time neighbours often see each other out and about in the garden but that isn't the case in the winter so frail or elderly people really benefit from people visiting them regularly to make sure they are all right.

"Having no contact with anyone for days on end can also be particularly depressing, especially around Christ-mas time.

"That is why volunteer groups who regularly arrange visits and organise Christmas lunches and get-togethers are vital."

Thousands of volunteers across Hampshire have struck up relationships with elderly people after going through a blind date-style vetting system to match them up with an elderly person with similar interests.

Sandra said: "Long-term schemes befriend old people with volunteers who have similar interests so that they can develop a long-term friendship."

It is not a one-way relationship. Often people who have lost grandparents miss having an older person in their life so both groups get something out of forming a friendship.

An example of the befriending scheme working at its best is the case of Jean and Doris.

Eighty-nine-year-old Doris Offer moved into a Fareham rest home eight months ago but found the experience difficult, not knowing anyone and finding it hard to strike up a friendship.

Staff at WhiteOaks knew of the Good Neighbour scheme run by the local Churches Together group and quickly Doris was matched up with Jean Hall who twice a week visits her new pal.

It is hard to believe that the pair have known each other less than a year as they natter on about gardening, the weather and families.

Doris said: "She has been my salvation. When I arrived here I was very lonely. I didn't know anyone and found it awkward to strike up friendships. But since Jean has been coming to see me it is like we have known each other years.

"Sometimes we just talk and talk about a whole range of things and at times it feel s as as if we are sisters."

Jean, too, says she has found a real frind in Doris: "I lost my own mother and for me it is the next best thing having someone like Doris to talk to. She has such a wealth of information and is always telling me stories of her travels abroad."

Roger Chadwick, who organises the Fareham branch of Good Neighbours that was set up two years ago by Jean King, says the service they offer gives immeasurable support.

He said: "When we started we didn't want to tread on anyone's toes or offer something that was already out there like meals on wheels or day care services.

"Our remit is simple - friendship. We are there to make sure that elderly people who find themselves on their own have a friend to talk to, pass the time of day with or even go out for a walk with a couple of times a week.

"In the Fareham area we have 60 volunteer befrienders who give up as little as an hour a fortnight to visit older people."

According to Roger and the thousands of befriender volunteers Christmas should be the time to spare a thought for those in your neighbourhood who won't be looking forward to an empty house at Christmas time.

Chris Perry, the director of Age Concern Hampshire, said: "Christmas can be a very lonely time for elderly people, particularly if they themselves have recently experienced a bereavement.

"I think people should certainly be aware of the elderly people who live on their street who would appreciate the odd visit, particularly at this time of year.

"Just popping around to wish them a Merry Christmas would really be showing that their community does care about them."

ABOUT THE SCHEMES:

It is estimated about one in every four households have only one person in them. That compares with the 1950s when about one in every ten was a single-person household.

Good neighbour schemes are a voluntary organisation run through the church. Their aim is to visit lonely and older people who lack regular support from family and friends.

Across the Fareham area there are 60 volunteer befrienders who visit a similar number of elderly people for at least one hour every fortnight.

Age Concern Southampton has 61 volunteers including telephone befrienders who regularly keep in touch with elderly people over the phone.

For information on how to become a volunteer contact Mary Karnegie on 023 8036 8636.

HOW TO AVOID BEING LONELY IN LATER LIFE:

It is important to maintain a high level of physical activity, if possible. One or several outdoor walks each day is a good basis. If you are not in the habit of taking walks, start with a routine of several short walks each day. Always consult your doctor about the details of such exercises.

Always maintain a high level of activity within your home. Cleaning, cooking, and organising the home is very good exercise. It also means your home is welcoming to visitors.

Actively participate in local community affairs and clubs. Your level of activity might be to listen to a debate and vote, or it could be to actually help organise an event - the main objective is to participate.

Become a regular visitor to a local senior citizens centre, where you might join in different activities, outings and debates. Try to visit at different times of the week and to try out different activities, and in this way you will more likely find something that keeps your interest.

Volunteer your services at local schools, libraries and other such institutions.

Make an extra effort to improve your computer skills and to help other elderly people improve their computer skills. Electronic mail can serve to improve communications with the younger generation.