A CHARITY is urging people to look out for the elderly during the winter months.

Your Care Team volunteers work all year round to help the elderly residents of Leigh with their supermarket shop and ensure they don’t feel isolated and alone.

Patricia Murray pops in to help Doreen Fletcher once a week but is warning that cold weather can make things a lot worse for older people.

She said: “Doreen has problems with her eyesight and struggles to see the labels in the supermarket so I come along to help her with her shop.

Elderly people really need help in winter because many can’t get out as the cold makes their legs sore and many just need a relative or friend to pop in and check they have hot food and something warm to drink.

“Many feel isolated and need company but more importantly, if they can’t get out to go to the shop, they need someone who can bring them food and drink. They are often proud and can struggle to ask for help.”

In the winter months elderly people are less able to get out and about and the colder weather increases the chances of heart attacks, strokes and respiratory problems.

Director of Your Care Team Jayne Kumah said: “There are various forms of help available for the elderly people and one option is our ‘Support at Home’ teams.

“We can get food and shopping for people, help pay bills and collect prescriptions – all valuable services particularly when it’s cold and icy outside and help ensure they are safe and well.”

If you know an elderly person who could benefit from the service provided by Your Care Team, call 01942 862083 or visit yourcareteam.org.uk.