TO lonely and isolated pensioners across Stoke-on-Trent, Ann Chatwin and her team of volunteers offer comfort.

Whether its checking on their wellbeing or simply being available to talk, the Phone Link service managed by Ann ensures some of the city's most vulnerable residents always have someone to call on in times of need.

In her role as manager of older people's services at the Saltbox Christian Centre in Gitana Street, Hanley, Ann is in charge of more than 20 volunteers.

Ann, from Leek, said: "Everybody we speak to has a story to tell, some people have been around the world and some people have been to the other side of Stoke-on-Trent, there are hidden gems in everybody."

Phone Link runs every day of the year and each week Ann's team makes more than 150 calls to more than 60 clients.

Ann said: "Not all the phone calls are easy, we have this rosy glow picture of old people but not all old people are like that, sometimes they're upset or less tolerant.

"This can be part of the ageing process, or the onset of dementia or maybe they've lost a partner.

"They've been around longer so life has thrown some difficult and sometimes cruel things at them.

"We take great care of our volunteers because they are the life blood of PhoneLink and are an encouragement to us all."

A conversation with a Phone Link volunteer helps elderly people to feel less isolated and allows Saltbox to check on their wellbeing.

The service begins with a visit by a member of staff to the person's home.

Married mum-of-three Ann said: "I still makes house calls myself.

"The initial visits help introduce our services to them and helps start building a relationship."

Phone Link volunteers get to know the person who is going to be receiving the calls on anything from a daily to a weekly basis and also take contact details in case of emergencies.

She said: "We're not an emergency service but it's a little bit of comfort to people that they know that we will endeavour to find their whereabouts if they don't answer their regular call." Ann was also responsible for the re-launch of Data Link, an information capsule kept in the fridge to give personal details to emergency services.

"Not everybody has a table in the hall or a drawer by the sink but virtually everyone has a fridge.

"There are signs so paramedics can find the information and save time in that first golden hour."

Ann began working in her role last year and has not gone unnoticed by the centre, which has now nominated her in The Sentinel's Our Heroes awards in the category of Charity Champion.

Chief executive Lloyd Cooke said: "Ann is certainly an outstanding member of my team and is making a significant difference in the lives of many local elderly and vulnerable people."

To find out more about Phone Link call 01782 265651.