'Pawsitive' friendship project fighting loneliness

Beth Sparkes, of Friendship at Home, with Luna

Dogs are helping tackle loneliness among older people thanks to a befriending service.

Called "Pawsitive Friendship", it is being run by a charity in North East Lincolnshire.

Volunteers take a dog to visit an older person for an hour a week in their home.

The Friendship at Home group, based in Cleethorpes, is now looking for more volunteers – and their dogs – to join up.

The charity offers a number of services, including befriending, dementia support and social clubs.

Volunteer manager Beth Sparkes said: "A lot of elderly people feel a bit lost, they used to have dogs or animals and can no longer look after them, so this is giving them something back and it fills a hole."

Andy Leaston and his dog Hope visit an elderly woman every week to keep her company

All dogs undergo an assessment by a professional dog behaviourist before being enrolled.

Andy Leaston and his dog Hope are among those who visit an elderly person for an hour a week.

"We got paired up with a lovely woman who we see once a week for about an hour," said Mr Leaston.

"She lost her dog some years ago and that hour of cuddling and playing with Hope makes a huge difference.

"You just can't put a value on it – the scheme is invaluable".

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