SHAC, the Marlborough voluntary group which provides home visits and companionship for more than 130 housebound people, many of them elderly, is merging with Age Concern Wiltshire from April.

SHAC (Support for the Housebound and Aid for Carers) was set up in 1996 when the former Aid for Caring Relatives (ACR) group folded after losing its funding.

Organiser Ann Sargant, who will continue to work from the SHAC offices at Savernake Hospital, said it was hoped clients and volunteers would notice very little change as a result of the merger.

Mrs Sargant, who has been the organiser of SHAC since its inaugural meeting in February 1996, said: "It has grown very quickly and received tremendous support from the local communities in the area of eastern Kennet. But it now seems time to make strong links with a larger parent body to secure the work of SHAC for the future."

She said there was a very positive feeling at a recent meeting which agreed to the merger. "There was some anxiety about the proposed changes but members of the SHAC management committee were confident that the work would continue robustly in the area, and under the same name, but with the backing of Age Concern Wiltshire into the future."

From April the group will be known as Age Concern Wiltshire, SHAC Befriending Scheme.

Mrs Sargant said: "As far as we can see it will be a seamless changeover for both our clients and our visitors."

SHAC has continued the tradition in Marlborough, started originally in the Sixties by the former Old Folks Association, of voluntary care for the elderly. The old folks association (MOFA) was started by the late Ted Quarterman to ensure that elderly people living alone were looked after by volunteers.

MOFA operated a visiting scheme, organised annual parties for the elderly in the town and was unique in being the first organisation of its kind in the country to ensure that elderly people were kept warm by providing low cost heating in their homes.

Aid for Caring Relatives continued in a similar vein but directed its help to the carers, people who look after elderly or housebound relatives, providing volunteers to relieve them of their roles for short periods.

As well as providing voluntary carers, SHAC has organised coffee mornings and other events at old people's sheltered housing schemes in Marlborough and the villages, at the Jubilee Centre and the Coombe End House nursing home.

Liddy Davidson, director of Age Concern Wiltshire, said she was delighted that the merger would be taking place. "I believe this is a very positive outcome for both organisations and is the result of over a year of sensitive discussion and consultation since SHAC first approached us.

"We recognise that much valued support is provided by the SHAC staff and volunteer visitors and welcome the opportunity to work with them to continue, and hopefully extend, the service to more older people in need across Kennet."

Volunteers of families needing the services of SHAC are welcome to contact either Mrs Sargant or her deputy Amanda Brown on (01672) 512246.