It's coming up to the first anniversary of my weekly visits to an elderly woman living in my local area. Elderly is the right word to use here - she is 98!

I mention this because these weekly visits have been amongst the most rewarding and important hours of my life. If you are at all inclined, or interested, in joining Age Concern's volunteer programme, I cannot recommend it more highly. All it requires is just one hour each week. The person you visit knows that whatever else happens in their life, they will have a visitor each week to hear their news, relay messages through Age Concern and simply be a friend. But the client doesn't have your phone number - your role is clearly defined and there is no need to feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, which are confined to the weekly visit.

As I've said, my client is 98! Her resiliance, optimism and sang froid is astonishing and humbling. It's made me realise what a terribly soft lot we've become in the modern age. And to put her life in perspective, she was four when World War One started!

I have to thank Age Concern for introducing me to one of the most important people in my life.