A simple project could be a potential life-changer for scores of people across the area - about just making friends.

The 'Befriending initiative is being championed by the Budleigh Salterton-based Seachange Centre.

Volunteer befrienders offers supportive, reliable relationships to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.

Manager Marc Jobson says He says: "The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self-confidence. Not only for the befriended but also the volunteer. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact."

He quotes Minister for Loneliness Baroness Diana Barran who said: "The chances are we've all been affected by Loneliness, either directly or through someone close to us. We can all do more to try and make a difference and make our country a less lonely place."

Marc says: "Seachange intends to try and tackle this issue."

Managed by the centre's Healthy Neighbourhoods team, the Seachange Befriending project has employed a co-ordinator to manage the project. This includes: recruiting, training and managing volunteers; marketing the project; meeting clients in their home to identify needs/ interests; creating volunteer/ befriendee matches and encouraging volunteers to signpost clients into new services.

The project covers the whole 'WEB' area - Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh and the villages in between.

Marc says: "We would like to recruit a team of enthusiastic volunteers to help support this worthwhile and rewarding project. No experience necessary, just a kind and caring nature. The ability to be happy to talk to people and drink lots of tea is always a key competence.

"We welcome volunteers from the whole WEB area and in particular, Exmouth. We will provide training and all agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

"All volunteers will be required to have an enhanced DBS, which we fund and help with the application if necessary to ensure the safeguarding of all people taking part in the project."

For further information contact: Sarah Forde 01395 446896 sarah.forde@westbank.org.uk Or go to the21 website more details. www.seachangedevon.org