A volunteer for a charity helpline is calling for neighbours to join him in helping vulnerable, elderly people.

Graeme Naylor, 34, of East Finchley, has been volunteering with The Silver Line since 2015 after working with the Samaritans and seeing an advertisement about the service.

Now he is urging people from Barnet and East Finchley to join him in speaking to elderly people who are isolated and lonely.

He said: “Loneliness is such a massive issue for all generations and I know most people experience feelings of loneliness at some point in their lives.

He added: “It has become a highlight of my week and we both have gained much from the service.”

Mr Naylor was matched with an older person based on shared interests, and has a 30 minute conversation with them on the phone via a confidential, online call system.

The Silver Line was founded by Dame Esther Rantzen in 2013, has received more than 1 million calls and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Research from the charity shows that 67% of our callers phone The Silver Line because they are lonely or isolated, 88% living alone and 54% who say they have no one to speak to.

To join Graeme and volunteer, contact volunteering@thesilverline.org.uk and the helpline number is 0800 4 70 80 90 if you know any lonely, elderly people.