OLDER people’s charity and care provider Brendoncare is appealing to Alton residents to make their New Year resolutions count this year, by pledging to make a difference to the lives of older folk in their community.

The message is: “New Year diets and gym memberships may be fading already, but it is never too late to volunteer!”

Brendoncare Alton, on Anstey Road, is a residential and nursing home providing care for 80 people, including specialist care for those living with dementia. There are also 46 close-care apartments, offering independent living with care available from the home as necessary.

Volunteers work alongside staff in a variety of roles, and the home urgently needs more volunteers who could support activity sessions or spend time chatting with the people who live there.

Brendoncare volunteering manager Julie Lamont says that becoming a volunteer is the perfect way to make a difference, not just to your local community, but to yourself as well.

She said: “Volunteering is a great way of meeting new people, improving confidence and self-esteem, gaining experience and learning new skills. Volunteering has definitely enriched my life. I’ve had the privilege of meeting many amazing people, and I would heartily recommend volunteering to anyone who has time to spare and loves talking to people.”

With a minimum age limit of 16, and no upper limit, Brendoncare’s volunteers come from all walks of life. Anyone interested in volunteering should visit brendoncare.org.uk/volunteers or call 01962 852133.

Brendoncare was recently re-accredited with the Investing in Volunteers standard, an award the charity has held since 2009.