A PIONEERING website set up by an Oxford grandmother is proving you don’t need to leave the house to feel a little less alone.

Summertown resident Avril Lethbridge, 83, has jumped at the chance of communicating with the increasing number of over-65s using the internet and created her own website – Silver Robin.

The site features a catalogue of articles of varying lengths on everything from arts and crafts to memories, to the explanation of modern concepts like Skype and YouTube.

Mrs Lethbridge, of Thorncliffe Road, said: “I was in conversation with a couple of doctors who were talking about the problem of loneliness.

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“I said I had this mad idea to start a website and thought I would give it a shot.

“Silver Robin aims to combat loneliness and be something that people can participate in.

“Actually more and more oldies are now using the web and it’s very easy to use.

“Some people feel alarmed by the idea of writing an article, but you can just send snippets.”

Over the past few months Silver Robin has begun to gather momentum, with visitors sending in their own stories on topics as diverse as a trip on the SS Orion in 1941, relatives taking donations to Calais refugees and the perfect recipe for bacon clangers.

Mrs Lethbridge’s granddaughter Lissie, 16, is also featured interviewing a 102-year-old lady named Margaret about the First World War.

Mrs Lethbridge said: “What I would love as an oldie is for people to wake up in the morning and think ‘I wonder what’s on that today’.

“I am very lucky in the fact that I have family who are very good to me. But I spoke to someone who hadn’t talked to anybody for 10 days. It’s not funny – it’s terrifying.”

The website was put together with the support of Age UK Oxfordshire and other volunteers living in the area.

  • Anyone interested in reading or sending in their own stories and snapshots should visit silverrobin.co.uk

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

  • Donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal, which is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its Phone Friends service. Text AUKO22 £3 to 70070 to give £3 or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness to pledge an amount of your choice.
  • Volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire. Ten new recruits are being sought over the Christmas period. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. To find out more, email volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk
  • If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk