A mid Essex hospice has launched an appeal for additional volunteers for its befriending service as it is expecting increased demand over the festive season.

Farleigh Hospice launched Farleigh Helpers in September to provide friendship over the phone to residents who are ill, bereaved, isolated or in need of someone to talk to.

Requests and referrals to the service for support have risen every month, and the hospice now needs to expand its volunteers to help more people.

The hospice is based in Chelmsford but supports people across mid Essex, including the Maldon district.

Michelle Von Kimmelmann, volunteer and corporate administration manager at Farleigh Hospice, said: "As a community-focussed charity, we want to be able to extend the care we offer to beyond our usual remit.

"Thanks to a grant from the Essex Community Foundation, we can now reach out to provide additional befriending support to our patients, families and anyone in the local community who may need it.

"Our aim is to ensure that anyone who is in need of friendship, regardless of age, circumstances or relationship to Farleigh, has someone to talk to who is caring, friendly, supportive and dedicated.

"We are looking for kind, caring volunteers who are good listeners, IT savvy and who want to make a positive difference to people's lives in the local community.

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"The role is home-based so you can help people from the comfort of your living room."

Farleigh Helpers offer non-medical support by listening, chatting and signposting people to relevant information or professional services where appropriate.

Click here for more information on becoming a Farleigh Helper and to complete an application form.

Training sessions will take place in January at the hospice's head office on North Court Road in Chelmsford.

Anyone who would like to speak to a Farleigh Helper can organise a regular chat with a volunteer or get in touch as the need arises.

To arrange a call back from a Farleigh Helper, call 01245 933800 or email [email protected].

The service runs from 9am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.