VOLUNTEERS have been knocking on doors in Pensby as part of a befriending project.

For just under a year, volunteers have been taking part in the Great Wirral Door Knock, calling on residents who might feel lonely or isolated, particularly the elderly.

Pensby was their latest destination, after similar visits to Eastham, Woodchurch and Rock Ferry racked up 3,230 individual door knocks, 821 conversations with residents and 316 referrals for further help and support.

Pensby had been identified as a local 'isolation hotspot' – meaning residents have a high risk of being isolated because they are living alone, suffering financial difficulties or have lost lifelong partners.

The three-day visit resulted in a further 1,064 calls, 273 conversations, and 79 referrals for further help.

The project will continue as part of a rolling programme of visits.

So far it’s been a success, with people going on to join community groups or lunch clubs, finding somewhere to eat Christmas dinner when otherwise they would have been alone, or receiving Christmas hampers.

Seven residents also offered to volunteer as befrienders and have been trained by Age UK Wirral and matched to isolated residents to help bring communities and residents together.

There will be more Great Wirral Door Knocks in the future in many different areas.

The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 470 8090.

If you would like to volunteer and support future campaigns or would just like some more information about the door knocking campaign, call Age UK Wirral on 0151 653 4404.