OLDER people in Worcestershire with a positive outlook are being recruited to help kickstart their less energetic peers into a healthier and more active lifestyle.

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire branch of Age Concern is appealing for anyone over 50 to become a mentor in its Someone Like Me scheme.

The project aims to help older people who are inactive, lonely or isolated to get a new lease of life by being matched with mentors of a similar age who offer encouragement and inspiration.

Age Concern Press officer, Nicola Hampton, said: "The aim is that the peer mentors will be matched with someone of a similar age, with similar interests or living in the same area, who has been referred by health care agencies or social services because they are inactive, lonely or isolated.

"They will be people who would respond to some outside stimulus from a person of their own age. They are going to be encouraged to extend their mental and physical activity to an appropriate level - and to adopt healthier eating if that is appropriate.

"The mentoring will be for a six-week period initially. Sometimes people need that kick-start."

Miss Hampton said it might mean going for a walk with someone, taking them swimming or going to a bridge club.

"The mentors will provide the initial social contact and then hopefully the person will be confident enough to continue on their own."

The charity is holding a training day for mentors in Worcester on Wednesday, October 26, and another in the Wyre Forest area on Wednesday, November 16.

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor should contact Age Concern's Peer Mentoring project officer, Cat Hayward, on 01905 726652 or by e-mailing her at chayward@achw.org.uk