A DARTMOUTH charity dedicated to helping the elderly will become increasingly important as the town is set to face a massive 35 per cent increase in its elderly population in the next 12 years.

By 2024 more than a quarter of the town's population will be 'elderly' the Council for Voluntary Services Commission in Devon is predicting.

Dartmouth Caring's role in the town is already increasing after experiencing a 30 per cent increase in demand for its services over the last three years alone.

Dartmouth Caring manager and co-ordinator Alison Stocks said: 'We are delighted that this report has shown our services are making a positive impact on the lives of people in Dartmouth and the surrounding district. The population of Dartmouth is older than most and our volunteers and staff are making a difference every day.

'We provide services which Government agencies wouldn't – and we want to help everyone we can who needs us. We are almost completely supported by our fundraising activities and will continue to do so. This report shows why it's so vital we continue to provide the services we do.'

The Council for Voluntary services Commission report claims that the increase in elderly population is set to be more pronounced in Dartmouth than elsewhere in the country – which is predicted to have an elderly population around 25 percent in 2024.

Dartmouth Caring offers services which aim to help people in the Dartmouth area live independently for as long as possible.

The services they offer include a weekly lunch club at the Community Café, a Memory Café for those suffering short term memory loss, a Parkinsons Café for those suffering Parkinsonian symptoms, a shopping service, a befriending service, health and well-being checks for carers, a free counselling service and the much-lauded Bridge Workers.

The report states that Dartmouth Caring's importance thanks to the wide range of services it offers, is increasing. It has seen 30 per cent increases in demand for many of its services for the last three years, and this trend is set to continue and, according to population predictions actually increase.

The report added: 'Dartmouth Caring is undergoing a rapid expansion of its services – a reflection of both demand and the quality of its services, helping older people stay socially active and remain in their own homes for longer. The charity is innovative – developing new services in response to changing demands.'