A CHARITY is appealing for people to “share their sunshine” this summer and help combat loneliness and isolation among carers and older people.

Kirkbymoorside-based Ryedale Carers Support has launched a campaign to recruit more volunteers.

The charity provides a free sitting service for carers and a visiting service for older people living on their own who would benefit from some regular company.

Sarah Lally-Marley, the charity’s community development worker, said: “We have a wonderful team of volunteers, of all ages, experiences and backgrounds and many of them have been volunteering with us for a number of years.

“As the demand for our services increases, we are in desperate need of more volunteers who can spare a couple of hours a week or fortnight to enable us to help everyone who approaches us for support.

“While everyone is busy planning their summer holidays and enjoying the warmer weather, we are asking people to consider ‘sharing their sunshine’ by giving a small amount of their time on a regular basis so that carers and older people living alone can enjoy their summer too.”

Sarah will be holding drop-in sessions to give people more information on the free sitting and visiting services, as well as volunteering.

The session will take place at:

l Friday, May 26– Sheriff Hutton, Supermobile Library (village hall car park), from 10am-noon;

l Friday, June 2 – Helmsley Community Library, from noon-2pm;

l Monday,June 5 – Pickering Library, from 10am-noon;

l Tuesday, June 6 – Norton Community Library, from 10am-noon.

You can also phone the charity on 01751 432288 or visit ryedalecarers.org.uk

The charity is also asking Twitter users, to share the charity’s

campaign hashtag #shareyoursunshine.