There are 2.2 million people aged 75+ who live alone in the UK, many of them experiencing near constant loneliness. The Coronavirus pandemic has intensified experiences of loneliness for older people; many have been suffering alone with feelings of fear, anxiety and grief. Being lonely is miserable, but it can also have a very damaging effect on physical health and mental wellbeing: lonely people with poor social connections are more likely to suffer from dementia, heart disease and depression.

We help isolated older people to build strong, long-term friendships with people of all ages. Through our telephone befriending service, Call Companions, older people have regular contact with a volunteer who shares their interests. When it is safe for older people to meet in person, we will also resume over 900 free social groups in local communities. Older people who join Re-engage report significant improvements in happiness and wellbeing, 97% say they now have something to look forward to.