The charity was successful in its bid to win the money from the Aviva Community Fund.

A ‘vitally important’ project to combat loneliness and isolation in the Sid Valley has bagged £1,000 of funding thanks to public support.

The Sid Valley Memory Café was successful in its Aviva Community Fund bid to secure the money for its new initiative, called Be-Friend.

The scheme is to support people who are on their own by offering trips out with volunteers, outside of the memory café’s weekly sessions.

The charity reached the final of the contest after receiving 650 votes from members of the community and beyond.

Rachel Johnstone, chairman of the memory café, said she was delighted with the result, adding: “This, along with a generous donation from an individual from the Sid Valley community, will enable our volunteers to accompany some of our members who are feeling the effects of loneliness on outings to local coffee shops, garden centres and more.

“This is vitally important given that, according to research, nearly half of older people say that television or pets are their main form of company. We would also like to extend our grateful thanks to readers of the Herald for voting for our project. This is another wonderful example of the Sid Valley community supporting the Memory Café so that, together we can make a difference.”