A CHARITY is appealing for volunteers to help provide life-changing support to Teesside residents with hearing loss.

Action on Hearing Loss is looking for volunteers to join its 'Hear to Meet' befriending club helping reduce the loneliness and isolation experienced by people with hearing loss in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Hartlepool.

The charity is also looking for volunteers to hold information stands or talks in local community groups, social clubs and places of worship to encourage residents to get their hearing checked or access life-changing equipment and services supporting people with hearing loss.

Lisa Rankin from Action on Hearing Loss, said: "Hearing loss can be isolating - especially if you're struggling to hear conversations with friends and family.

"During Volunteers' Week, we'll be looking for new volunteers, who may have hearing loss themselves, to come forward to support our 'Hear to Meet' befriending club or fill an information outreach role.

"By volunteering for Action on Hearing Loss you will be helping give people who are deaf or hard of hearing in Teesside an invaluable chance to meet others who understand just how much hearing loss affects their everyday lives, and raise vital awareness about the life-changing support that's available."

The appeal coincides with national Volunteers Week, which runs from June 1 to 7.