A mental health charity is aiming to celebrate its birthday by boosting volunteer numbers.

The Merton branch of the Association for Pastoral Care in Mental Health (APCMH) is looking for help to expand its befriending service to mark the organisation’s 20th birthday next year. More volunteers are needed to hit APCMH’s target of providing the service in the homes of 50 clients.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Such persons value highly a friendship that helps to alleviate their anxieties and sense of isolation.”

APCMH’s next training course is set to run in January - for more information call 020 8542 9637 or email davidroe24@yahoo.co.uk.