A SUCCESSFUL service that helps lonely or isolated people make their way back into the community has been rolled out into more parts of York.

Age Concern's community support worker scheme now has two staff members covering Foxwood, Copmanthorpe, Bishopthorpe, Wheldrake and other surrounding villages, after successful bids for ward committee cash.

They join the support worker who has been based in the Westfield area since September last year.

The scheme is an off-shoot of the Age Concern befriending service, which has been run by the charity in York for more than 30 years.

Age Concern staff have hailed the support worker scheme a success - while calling for more volunteers to sign up as befrienders.

Lis Ramage, Age Concern's community befriending and support service organiser, said: "The people we try to contact are those that have become socially isolated, we try to reintegrate them back into the community and help them access the services that are available.

"A lot of the people we see have been bereaved, they have lost confidence. Support workers accompany them to places, to help them rebuild their confidence and re-empower them.

Ms Ramage said: "The scheme grew from the befriending service, which we need people to volunteer for, committing themselves to about an hour a week.

"Befrienders visit older people unable to make use of York's clubs and organisations, those that have become housebound for whatever reason."

Coun Sue Galloway, Westfield Ward councillor and city council executive member for social services, praised the work done by both the schemes.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the befriending service should ring 01904 627995 or 621020 and ask for Lis Ramage or Val Butler.

Updated: 08:44 Friday, June 27, 2003