During December we had a wonderful 1,270 volunteer applications, in large part thanks to Re-engage featuring on ITV’s 1 Million Minutes appeal calling for people to pledge their time to help end loneliness.   

Call companion Vanda, tea party host Tal, and 86-year-old Anna all gave up their time to help promote this year’s appeal, which ran from 1st to 31st December 2022. During this time 117,172,140 minutes of volunteering were pledged to; Re-engage, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Grief Encounter, Royal Voluntary Service, Sands, Home-Start and the Chatty Café Scheme.  

This is the seventh consecutive year that Re-engage has been part of this massive TV appeal, during which time over half a billion minutes of volunteer time have been donated.  

“1 Million Minutes has proved yet again that there is a generous army of people out there prepared to spare their valuable time to help tackle loneliness and isolation amongst some of society’s most marginalised people,” said Sally Flowers, Re-engage head of service delivery.  

“The kindness of our volunteers gives them the satisfaction of knowing that they’re providing a crucial service, ensuring older people get the vital social contact they need.”