''It's either we don't have enough volunteers or we don't have enough clients,'' the accredited visitor service co-ordinator said.
Volunteers sign up to spend time with socially isolated elderly people who have been referred to Age Concern.
Social isolation was associated with various risk factors, Ms Kavanagh said, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and dementia. Now, in Mosgiel, the visitor service has seven clients waiting to be matched with volunteers and only two volunteers.
''Travelling can be a problem because [volunteers are] not having their travel costs paid for.''
Volunteers did a variety activities with the Age Concern clients.
''It's not just about going to their home and having a cup of tea'', although some people did like that, Ms Kavanagh said.
Age Concern's volunteer force covered a wide age range, from 18-year-old students to one volunteer in her 80s. Anyone interested in volunteering for Age Concern should get in touch with Ms Kavanagh directly, she said.
''All they need to do is contact me at Age Concern, and go from there.''
