Elderly people in Potters Bar were given a helping hand at the launch of a new community scheme aimed at making their lives easier.

The Voice, a joint venture between Hertfordshire County Council, Hertsmere Borough Council and care providers, is aimed at educating the elderly about changes to adult care services.

As well as information on NHS changes, visitors to the session at St. Johns Methodist Church, in Baker Street, were given advice on how to use their mobile phones and offered home visits to keep them company.

Pensioners were also given a chance to try out the Community Meals scheme, which delivers cooked food to their homes at the open day on Wednesday.

Hertsmere Mayor and The Voice supporter Pat Strack said: “The voice operates verbally - we thought it would be a lot better to do everything face to face. A questionnaire just doesn’t do it.

“The whole scheme is about putting people in touch with one and other and stopping people feeling isolated.

“This is just phase one, we will be going back to Potters Bar after Christmas and hopefully more people will be there. “

For more information visit www.thevoiceinherts.org.uk.