Volunteers to staff a senior helpline this Christmas

The operators of a senior helpline say that Christmas can be one of the toughest times of the year for older people.

Several hundred trained volunteers around the country will staff the helpline this year, providing a listening ear for older people.

Spokesperson Anne Dempsey says the passage of time brings more loneliness into people's lives.

She says Christmas can re-trigger the losses in our lives and make this time of year bittersweet.