A pensioner has spoken of the loneliness of spending "years" on her own "doing nothing and seeing no one". But Pat Whiteside has now met a kind friend, and the pair meet up every week.
Pat's partner Jenny Smith died in 2009 after they had been together for 14 years. A devastated Pat said she was left with "no social connections at all" and turned to alcohol for comfort.
After suffering a stroke and developing anxiety and depression, Pat was referred to Sheffield-based charity b:friend. The organisation matches lonely, isolated people with kind-hearted volunteers who give up their time to visit people like Pat.
She was paired with Samantha Haigh - a lovely, warm Barnsley woman who takes her shopping, out for lunch at cafes and helps her cope after her debilitating stroke. Pat, 72, met her late partner Jenny in 1995 at a bar and the two hit it off straight away, reports YorkshireLive.
The inseparable pair travelled together, taking regular trips to Spain where they were married during a beachfront ceremony, and kept four Shetland ponies. Speaking about Jenny, Pat said: "It was a lovely life - we looked after each other, we kept horses and went travelling together. She did everything for me, we supported each other.
"But after she died I started drinking a lot - I tried to take my own life twice - and I had no social connections at all when she went. I didn't want to go out, I just sat drinking rum and ginger all day. Loneliness is just awful."
Pat eventually joined a gym as she looked to re-enter society and improve her health. Then last year social services recommended Pat for the b:friend service to help her combat the anxiety and depression she suffers.
Pat added: "It's been a real lift for me - it's got me wanting to keep going to the gym and other places. I feel less mixed up in my head."
Samantha - who has a busy life with a husband and full-time as an office manager - volunteered as a befriender, ironically, because she was also feeling lonely. She said: "I was going through a bad time with the menopause and I didn't really have any female interactions - I feel like I'm needed because Pat does need me to help her do various things."
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Samantha visits Pat once a week to have a drink and a chat and help her do the shopping. Sam added: "I just wanted to make difference and we have loads in common - we like having a bite to eat and watching some TV - we know what each other is talking about.
"Time can be a problem, I run an office and work hard but I can allow some time for Pat - it's just about planning. Pat's here 24 hours a day, so if there is a week when I can't come I make sure I come twice the week after because if I didn't come she wouldn't see anyone. I message her every day to make sure she's alright and I always send a goodnight message."
Sam, who accepts that supporting Pat is a long-term commitment that she will not walk away from, says the pair have lots of plans for the future. As well as more trips out for walks and shopping, this summer they will be looking into securing a permanent plot at Barnsley Crematorium - where a memorial plaque will be placed for Jenny, with a space secured next to it for Pat.
