The recent annual meeting of Age CONCERN Ross-on-Wye and District looked back over a two-year start-up period and forward to a busy future with the help of their own staff members.

Since January 2002 the group has had the services of Patsy Clifford on loan from Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

They have laid a firm foundation based on their three initial services - a befriending scheme for the lonely and isolated in the community, an information and advice service based in their Gloucester road office and weekly computer taster sessions based in Info in Herefordshire in Swan House.

Group chairman Brian Gange paid tribute to the volunteers who have contributed their time and effort.

Late last year funding was won from Age Concern England and from the Nationwide Foundation to allow the group to employ two staff of its own. Joining the group as chief officer is Colette Colman.

Colette has worked for the past five years with Age Concern in Leominster and has a good knowledge of the concerns of older people in Herefordshire.

Patsy Clifford is remaining in Ross at the end of her time on secondment from Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

As volunteer and services manager she will now be able to concentrate on the expansion of the Befriending Scheme, the development of the group's Information Service and the foundation of new services.