Age Concern volunteer tells of the joy of delivering Christmas cakes to the elderly

Beverly Warren welcomes the support of an Age Concern volunteer visitor - and the prospect of nipping out for an icecream.

Age Concern says 10 per cent of people aged over 65 suffer from severe loneliness and isolation.

The organisation matches an older person's needs with a volunteer who can socialise with him or her, have a cup of tea with them or take them out. The visits are weekly.

Volunteer Dick Ayres visits Beverly Warren.

"I'm a new member of the Age Concern group, the volunteer group, that is," says Ayres.

"The opportunity came up to deliver a range of beautiful Christmas cakes. They've all been most delighted to get such a lovely gift. It's been a pleasure just providing them."

"I felt I should be doing something to help so I decided to do this and it looks pretty good to me."

"I've spoken to all the staff in the office and I've met some of the volunteers and they're just amazing people, but the ones that are really at the top of it is the people we visit ...

Age Concern Volunteer Dick Ayres knocks on a door to deliver a Christmas cake. Photo / NZH Focus

"They've all got a story of their own and I'm looking forward to hearing some of those stories ..."

Warren told NZ Herald Focus that being part of the Age Concern programme had been lovely.

"I'm really looking forward to being able to go out for a walk, out maybe for a drive somewhere and definitely to get an icecream."