Elderly people

Befrienders to curb elderly social isolation

Age UK Northumberland volunteers provide face-to-face support to help people achieve personal goals.

Barbara Carolan, 71, says learning skills from the martial art has changed her life.

Peter Byers walks a mile a day to keep healthy after a serious heart operation five years ago.

Age UK Twyford will close on 4 September after 38 years in operation unless funding can be found.

Marjorie Richardson, 79, is the oldest member at her gym and says she loves lifting weights.

Ryan Hawthorn, 90, can lift 90kg - about 14 stones - or more than his own body weight.

Geocare Services Limited provides care to people with conditions such as dementia or disabilities.

The incident was among "abysmal failures" of care by a council contractor, an investigation finds.