Volunteers are sought to help bridge the social interaction gap for older people who have frail health, are unable to drive, live alone or do not have family locally.
Age Concern Whanganui's Accredited Visiting Service has vacancies for both visiting volunteers and older people in need of weekly social connection.
Clare Fearnley, social connections and health promotion manager for Age Concern Whanganui, said the service was for people who may have lost a loved one and are struggling and those who, over time, may have lost social connections with others.
"It's really just saying 'have you lost some social connection and is it worth having a positive, kind, gentle person come and see you every week, would it make a difference'."
Often family members or health workers make referrals to Fearnley, with half the referrals in the past 18 months coming from the Whanganui District Health Board.