VOLUNTEERS are being sought to provide friendship and support to those who feel socially isolated because of their disabilities.

Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council (BADDAC) has launched its recruitment campaign for befrienders to coincide with national Volunteers Week.

"Jigsaw Link" is the new name for the scheme which is aimed at the more mature disabled, hard of hearing and partially-sighted people throughout Bury.

The aim of "Jigsaw Link" is to link up volunteers on a one-to-one basis with those who would benefit from such a service.

Befrienders will find themselves sharing a variety of experiences with the service users.

In return for their time, qualities, skills, attitudes and experience, the scheme offers volunteers clearly defined work, supervision, support, training and travel expenses. BADDAC says the role of its Jigsaw Link volunteers will be to offer support and friendship and act as a link between that person and the community.

Volunteers need not have experience of disability as training and support will be given.

However, they should like meeting people and getting to know them, be reliable and have an open-minded approach to different types of people.

The amount of time volunteers will serve will be worked out. This may include one visit a week for a cup of tea or chat with the service users or accompanying them to some regular activity.

To match a volunteer and a service user, BADDAC will be looking for compatibility, possibly in the form of shared interests.

Anyone interested in joining this worthwhile voluntary scheme can contact Jigsaw Link on 253 6853 or call in at the Seedfeld Resource Centre, Parkinson Street, Bury, for more information.