Popping in to say hello and have a chat is priceless gift offered by those like Pat, 85

FOR some folk, doing a kindness to others needs no reward. Allow me to celebrate one such soul among many at a time when it's tempting to think the world is full of selfish people.

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Pat is a sprightly 85 years old and a volunteer "hobby buddy". Each week, she visits three lonely people who don’t get out much, just to give them a bit of company and a chat. Two are in their 70s and one in her late 90s.

Pat lost her husband three years ago and his wish, during failing health, to have the occasional visitor from “outside” made her think about others in the same boat.

She responded to an advert from the Long Eaton-based Erewash Voluntary Action charity, which pairs would-be “buddies” with people who feel isolated at home and have been referred under a “social prescribing scheme” run in partnership with GP surgeries.

The former nurse spends about an hour and a half on each visit and is able to walk to her friends’ homes.