An award winning organisation which uses the skills and experience of injured military veterans to inspire people aged over 50 has started tackling isolation and loneliness in Truro.

The Active Plus Communities programme will be based at the Methodist Church in Truro, where people aged 50 and over will be able to meet with injured military veterans every Monday morning from June 6 to build friendships, confidence and community involvement.

Truro City Councillor Loic Rich will be supporting the programme, which is funded by the Big Lottery and delivered in partnership with local groups the Three Spires Health Centre, and he will attend sessions to find out for himself how it works.

Tim Cocks, managing director at Active Plus, said: “Active Plus Communities is all about people helping themselves through helping others. This programme not only helps people to become connected in their communities but also helps our military veterans, many of whom have also experienced isolation and health challenges.

"The idea is that each Active Plus Communities group goes on to help others in their community.”

The programme, which started in Falmouth in June 2015, has so far helped over 150 people aged from 50 to 92 to make friends, build confidence and become a valuable resource in their community, and was named Best Third Sector Business at this year's Cornwall Business Awards.

The group in Falmouth has started an over-50s sports club, in Camborne the group has helped the Gooseberry Bush Nursery through fundraising and volunteering, and the St.Austell and Camborne groups have raised over £1,200 for causes including MacMillan and Children’s Hospice South West.

Harry Andrews, 75, recently joined Active Plus Communities in Redruth, and said: “I don't know what we did at Chyventon Redruth to deserve Active Plus Communities but am ever so grateful. A great team presenting us with so many opportunities . Long may it continue.”

To find out more information about the project, call Active Plus on 01326 567174 or email tcocks@activeplus.org.uk