This Scheme exists to help alleviate loneliness experienced by older people, generally housebound and living alone, who are isolated and feel lonely for a variety of reasons, such as location, disability, physical and mental health, poor family care, etc. The Scheme aims to help maintain an older person’s independence, enabling them to live in their own homes for as long as possible. The service aims to provide practical help as well as company, resulting in general emotional and physical well being. Volunteers will carry out weekly, fortnightly or monthly shopping visits at pre-arranged times and spend an average of 2-4 hours per visit providing support for their client. The scheme will be divided into two categories: Category a. the housebound client who needs someone to shop for them; and Category b. the client who, although physically able to do their own shopping, cannot actually get to the shops and who needs to be accompanied. Category a. A volunteer will visit a client, and if necessary help to compile a shopping list. The volunteer will visit the nearest supermarket, carry out the shopping, return to the client’s home and help (if wished) to put away goods purchased. The volunteer would then also stop for a chat with the client and form a friendship. Category b. A volunteer will collect a client from their home and take them to the nearest supermarket where the volunteer will accompany the client around the supermarket. This service will enable a client to have some choice and independence concerning their shopping. After shopping the volunteer would return home with the client . The volunteer will then, if wished by the client stop for a chat and thus form a friendship. Referrals would be taken from the client or through other organisations or statutory bodies. The scheme will be monitiored and evaluated. All the volunteers will receive an induction and suitable training, Travel and related expenses will be paid. We hope to support 40+ clients in the first year. The need for this has been shown through a pilot scheme now in operation. Because our scheme is currently a pilot scheme the criteria is very strict and we have not been able to support all the requests for help received. Those not fortunate enough to have a volunteer allocated have been referred to the local authority adult teams.