DESPITE being surrounded by people in aged care facilities, loneliness is still a major concern for Warwick's elderly.

A kindly group of volunteers is making a difference.

Through Anglicare's Community Visitors Scheme, volunteers spend time each week with a lonely or socially isolated senior, simply to have chat, share a cup of tea or talk about the past.

Scheme co-ordinator Jenny Hoy said it was a unique program.

"It's a bit of a secret, but it doesn't need to be," she said.

"Quite often when someone is placed in care, the family assumes they'll be right, but in reality many in care facilities are socially-isolated and are desperate need of someone to talk to."

A volunteers job might be as simple as reading the paper to someone with vision-impairment or sharing photos of gardens or trips away.

Recently a recruitment morning at The Coffee Club in Warwick, 11 new volunteers signed on to assist with visiting elderly members of the community.

Volunteer Stenna Jackson said she loved her role.

"It's extremely satisfying to know you're making a difference to someone's day, to their life," she said.

"I used to visit my dad in a nursing home and it always struck me how many people in there were never visited at all, so I got the opportunity to do this for someone else, I jumped at it.

"It's also an opportunity to meet like-minded people who want to help others also."

Mrs Hoy said the clients loved their weekly visits.

"It really brightens their day, there's no doubt," she said.

"It might only be for half an hour but it makes a real difference."

Anglicare is now working on organising in-home visitations after Blue Care nominated there was a real need within the community for the service.

The majority of elderly who are able to, are now staying at home longer which can mean a greater risk of social isolation.

"Many are determined to stay in their own homes," Mrs Hoy said.

"But spouse and friends may have passed on and family may be busy or have moved away.

"They have their independence, but at the cost of a lack of a social life.

"Our volunteers need to be there for these people as well."

To become an Anglicare community visitor, contact Jenny Hoy on www.anglicaresq.org.au/volunteers