'Our bond through a befriending service has been a blessing' (opens original article in a new tab)

An 80-year-old woman and a 42-year-old volunteer developed a close friendship through a loneliness charity, highlighting the positive impact of befriending services.

• Two women, 80 and 42, formed a close friendship through a loneliness charity's befriending service.
• The charity b:friend pairs volunteers with socially isolated older adults for weekly visits and social clubs.
• Research cited by the charity links loneliness to increased health risks including dementia and suicide.