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.