A £470,000 campaign to tackle loneliness among Copeland’s older people has been launched.

Over 5,000 people could benefit from the project which aims to identify those who are social isolated and, with the support of community volunteers, provide support, help or activities.

Funded by the Big Lottery, the Henry Smith charity, Copeland Council and Copeland Community Fund, the scheme will be led by Age UK West Cumbria over the next five years.

“The funding has enabled us to recruit six staff to work in all areas of Copeland to find people who are lonely and build up a relationship, said Mary Bradley, chief executive of Age UK West Cumbria.

“People can become social isolated following a critical event in their life such as bereavement, an operation or the flu.”

Volunteers are now being sought to help with the scheme and Mrs Bradley believes 60 are required to provide the best help.

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie said two thirds of over-65s in Copeland live in rural areas where they are at greater risk of isolation and more than 55 per cent of these live alone.

“It is awful to think of people who day after day live an isolated life sometimes in sparsely populated rural areas with little or no visitors,” he said.

“It is so important that we as a community do what we can to tackle a very difficult issue which has such a huge impact on both physical and mental well-being, especially for older people.”

And Mrs Bradley admitted Age UK cannot carry out the scheme alone; support from the community is vital.

“We are hoping to engage 5,000 people through the campaign,” she said.

“We can help with finances and transport, help with digital things such as Skype or take people to activities. It’s about getting people connected again.”

Ray Bamford, 77, moved to Frizington from Wigan six years ago and, apart from his wife Dawn, had no family or friends in the area.

“From our experiences of volunteering we have made friends that we go on holiday and to the cinema with,” said Ray. “It’s put a new stride into our lives.

“There’s absolutely no need for loneliness, people just need to come and see what is going on.”

The scheme can also support younger people who feel socially isolated. For more information about the project and information about volunteering visit www.ageuk.org.uk/westcumbria