Winter is on its way and for the elderly and vulnerable – particularly those who don’t have family living nearby – the months ahead could leave them feeling particularly at risk.

Those with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to the cold and at this time of year it is up to us to be neighbourly and look out for those around us who may need a helping hand.

Ensuring they have sufficient supplies and emergency numbers to hand is essential for elderly people in our communities.

With winter deaths soaring by almost a third last winter, it is an opportune time for the NHS to set up an online pledge for people to sign up to become a ‘Winter Friend.’ NHS England wants 100,000 people to sign a pledge saying they will look in on an elderly friend or neighbour over the coming months.

Actress Joanna Lumley is the first to sign up to the pledge, which reads: ‘I will take time out this winter to look in on an elderly friend or neighbour to make sure they are warm and coping well’.

“A little help really does go a long way. You will also find, I’m sure, that giving a bit of your time in this way is hugely rewarding. Older people can be physically frail but they have a lifetime’s wisdom and experience to share,” says the actress.

“That’s why I am proud to lend my support to the NHS Winter Friends Pledge. Please join me and together we can make sure this winter is a wonderful winter for everyone.”

Trevor Holdsworth, secretary of the Keighley and Bradford Pensioners Association, welcomes the pledge saying it is a “brilliant idea”, particularly for older people who have recently moved to an area and don’t know anyone.

Social changes have also led to families living apart. “When I was a young boy, folk tended to work within a few miles, but nowadays they can live in Canada. Of course, travel is much easier long distance, but even so if they are living miles away, that closeness has been broken,” says Trevor.

HALE (Health Action Local Engagement) based in Shipley, runs a befriending scheme and a telephone befriending scheme.

“The NHS Winter Friend Pledge is in a similar vein to befriending and we have found from our befriending scheme that both parties really do benefit from this. One of our volunteers reported feeling more connected to the community through her befriending,” says a Hale spokesman.

“Keeping an eye out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours is a good idea all year round, but becomes really vital when the cold weather hits.

“ Regular contact through a visit or phone call can have significant benefits in reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as being an opportunity to check that people are managing during bad weather.

“We would also encourage those who don’t have friends or family nearby to join Befriending schemes such as HALE’s. Not only do these schemes link isolated people with a trained volunteer, but they can provide further links to the local community and advise on what other services may be available to support that individual.”

Keith Nathan, chief executive of Age UK Bradford & District, says the initiative dovetails with the T&A’s With Respect campaign, as well as the charity’s own efforts themed around ‘Look after yourself, and look after each other’.

“I’d very much encourage people to do this pledge,” he says. “I would also ask them to look beyond the winter efforts and consider longer-term volunteering for such projects as Befriending or Walk from Home.”

To sign up to the electronic pledge on the NHS Choices website visit nhs.uk/ WinterFriends. To find out more about the Befriending or Walk from Home scheme run by Age UK Bradford and District call (01274) 395144.