There are 2.2 million people aged 75+ who live alone in the UK, many of them experiencing near constant loneliness. The Covid-19 pandemic has deepened the loneliness crisis, leaving many older people suddenly alone as widowers or mourning the loss of lifelong friends or brothers and sisters. Being lonely is miserable, but it can also have a very damaging effect on physical health and mental wellbeing: lonely people are more likely to suffer from clinical dementia, heart disease and depression.

We provide isolated older people with treasured opportunities to make new friends through our telephone befriending service, call companions, or in person at our monthly social groups. Our services are free and designed to encourage strong, long-term friendships to blossom between people of all ages. The regular contact with our volunteers has a remarkable impact on the wellbeing of older people, with 92% saying they feel happier and 94% saying that they now have something to look forward to.