Why you should #TakeTheTime to become a befriender

Today MFR News is urging you to consider becoming a befriender as we launch our #TakeTheTime campaign.

It's all about loneliness.

All this week we'll be looking into the issue and how it affects people right across our region.

And we'll be encouraging you to consider donating as few as two hours of your time each week to provide company to people in need.

You can sign up here.

It's quick and easy and makes a real difference

To make this possible we're teaming up with charity Befriending Networks.

If you sign up they'll be getting in touch with you to refer you on to a group.

Loneliness tends to be something people associate with the elderly but it actually affects all age groups.

Take Melanie Mayer, for example.

She's a single mum of five, one of her children has down syndrome and another has severe ADHD.

She's told us she often feels like she has no one to turn to.

So please consider taking the time to sign up.