What makes us show up for other people, to help them navigate the challenges of life? It's generally considered normal that we’re there for family members, or long-standing friends. Maybe we support a neighbour or colleague every day, as we go about our usual routine. But what moves someone to help a stranger? I often wonder about this when it comes to our volunteers. It takes courage to pick up the phone and make the first move as a Call Companion; it can feel daunting to open the door to a social gathering and step inside. It might feel like a huge responsibility to collect a guest and drive them to a Re-engage event. And yet, despite these challenges, our volunteers do all this and more, in their thousands, every day of the week.

They tell us that guests who start off as strangers are soon close friends; that a short phone call often lasts much longer, and calls continue even when the volunteer is on holiday, busy with work, or life gets in the way. We know because our volunteers tell us that the time they spend interacting with older people through Re-engage services gives them a sense of wellbeing, a renewed sense of purpose, and a focus. Not to mention the benefits for the older people living with loneliness who are made to feel valued, remembered, cared about.

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Our roles are flexible, they’re fun, and they fit in with your life. We offer training and support, and you’ll become part of a new community in no time, where you’ll make a genuine and long-lasting difference. Have a burning question about volunteering? Drop us a line to ask your question. Or if you’re ready, hop over to our website to take a step on the path to volunteering today!