The service is run by volunteers and involves making calls every morning to the elderly and frail who live alone, to make sure they are all right.

“You hear of people dying and not being found for days or weeks, but that won’t happen if they subscribe to Telecross for free,” co-ordinator Ken Hall said.

“It’s not a huge thing to call people each day, but it is important.”

The volunteers work on a monthly basis with one month on, one month off, calling the same client each day to check on their welfare.

The calls are done at 8am, so people who work can contribute.

The service has 12 clients at the moment. Each volunteer gets information about their client, but the service operates on a first-name basis only due to privacy considerations.

If a client does not answer their phone, the co-ordinator calls the client’s key contact person, who can access the client’s home and check on them.

All volunteers must be over 18 years old, be prepared to make the phone calls each day, and undergo police and child protection checks.

If anyone knows someone who could benefit from this service, or is interested in volunteering to call people, contact Ken Hall on 6766 7051 or 6765 7021.