Improving Lives…

We all know what it’s like to feel lonely, but did you know that nearly half of all people aged 75 and over live alone?

One of the ways you can help is by volunteering to befriend an older person in your area.

When you volunteer to befriend in your community, you will be matched by your local Age UK with an older person, who you will visit in their home or call to offer friendly regular conversation while building lasting companionship.

Please note befriending in your community is different from our Call in Time telephone befriending service, where you will give an older person a call.

What you will get out it

It’s a direct way to make a difference to someone’s life
You get to support a great cause, while giving something back to your community
You get to be part of a wider, friendly team.
Volunteers tell us it’s fun, and you might make a new friend
Agreed expenses

What is expected of me?

In preparation for becoming a befriender, volunteers are required to complete a recruitment and matching process. This can take up to eight weeks if a disclosure and barring service check is required for the role, but it is often completed much sooner.

Once matched you will usually be asked to call or visit the older person you are matched to on a regular basis regularly. This could involve a call or visit for around 30 minutes to an hour, every week, over a long period of time.