A friendship scheme that combats loneliness among the county’s most isolated people has received a cash boost.

Essex County Council have pledged £200,000 for befriending services in Essex, which is expected to reach 2,000 residents.

Grants have been awarded to groups including Age UK Essex, Age Concern Southend, Royal Association for Deaf People and Action For Family Carers.

The grants will ensure the support continues for 18 months beyond the end of the current contract with Age UK Essex in October.

Anne Brown, Cabinet Member for Corporate, Communities and Customers at Essex County Council, said: “We are delighted to not only continue supporting people who are isolated, lonely and vulnerable with this funding pledge, but to drastically improve the service so it reaches an extra 1,500 people.

“Together with Age UK Essex, we have been exploring the introduction of a befriending service model fit for the future since autumn last year.

“Due to the unprecedented financial challenges we are facing, we were unable to make a long term commitment for funding at that point and in April, Age UK Essex informed us they would be ending their befriending services.

“We were not expecting this and acted swiftly to open the funding applications to other voluntary sector organisations.

“Now, with six organisations countywide, the service is better placed to meet demand countywide and reach more people than ever before.

The service will continue to offer traditional telephone calls and home visits, but will now also include supporting people to meet friends at lunch or friendship clubs and go on day trips.

For the first time, the service will provide specialist sensory support, to help older people.