Isolation is an issue which applies to many, but talked about by few.
So the RAF Association has launched a recruitment drive aimed at bringing more volunteers into the association, for the purpose of a befriending service.
With 170,000 RAF veterans dealing with issues of isolation, and 85,000 of them coping specifically with feelings of loneliness, the service is a valuable source of companionship to members of the RAF family.
Volunteer Manager, Katharine Montgomery, said: 'Befrienders can play such an important role in somebody's life and while there is no single type of person we look for, a good befriender is someone that is caring and empathetic, able to build a rapport with people, reliable and a good listener.'
Quality marked training is given to volunteers, that includes a one-day course covering everything volunteers need to know to be an effective befriender.
For more information on becoming a befriender, visit rafa.org.uk/befriending. To find out more on the work of the RAF Association visit rafa.org.uk.
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