CHARITY Friend to Friend has signed up to our Wish scheme to boost help for the elderly in rural areas.

The charity aims to help elderly people have a better quality of life by combating loneliness and isolation. It targets those living in the rural and semi-rural areas of the Valleys in Huddersfield, who rarely go out to meet other people.

Friend to Friend was formed in Holmfirth in 1996 with just 12 members who hosted one lunch club a month.

Since their beginnings the charity has grown and grown.

Friend to Friend now holds 23 activities a month, which include, arts and crafts, armchair exercise, local history, a men’s group and walking and intergenerational work with two local schools.

The charity has almost 300 members whose average age is 83, while more than 50 volunteers give up their spare time to provide the activities and transport.