The society has joined forces with Age UK to launch the Good Friends campaign after 95% of older people who responded to a survey admitted they felt lonely during lockdown.

Last year, Darlington Building Society staff contributed 169 volunteering days, supporting 48 community organisations and 19,700 individuals.

As well as recently making a five-year commitment to donate 5% of its profits to good causes, Darlington Building Society gives all members of staff two paid days a year to volunteer in the community.

Now six members of staff have come forward to speak to older people on the phone, meet for a chat (under social distancing rules) and provide support in many other ways.

Andrew Craddock, chief executive of Darlington Building Society, said: “Being part of the community is part of the ethos at Darlington Building Society – our staff want to make a difference wherever possible.

“The ‘Good Friends’ campaign being launched by Age UK gets to the heart of a really urgent issue in the communities we serve, and I am proud that six of our staff were among the first to step forward to help.”

Helen Hunter, chief executive of Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington, said: “We have had a heart-warming response to the Good Friends campaign, and it’s wonderful to have a high-profile local organisation like Darlington Building Society leading the way.”