Strategic review
2 / 7Loneliness in later life is a growing challenge for our society.
It is often hidden and not always recognised – even by those experiencing it. Yet its impact can be profound, affecting confidence, physical and mental health, and a person’s sense of belonging.
Too often, loneliness is seen as an inevitable part of ageing. But it isn’t. With the right support, it can be prevented. Through friendship, conversation, and shared experiences.
Across the UK, loneliness among older people shows no sign of easing: for many, increases in the cost of living means simple social activities are no longer affordable or accessible. Changing living arrangements, smaller homes, and more complex travel are also reshaping how people connect.
These pressures are felt by our volunteers too. Rising costs and increased demands on time make it harder to host or attend gatherings.
Together, these shifts are increasing demand for our services and changing how we deliver them. We need to stay flexible, responsive, and inclusive, so that meaningful human connection remains possible for everyone.
Why we exist
Encouragingly, loneliness is also receiving greater recognition, both in the UK and globally, including growing focus from organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
For people aged 75 and over, staying connected can become harder over time as social circles change, health declines, or someone close is lost.
We create regular opportunities for human connection through social groups, shared experiences, and one-to-one conversations. What matters is consistency. Creating moments that happen not just once, but again, and again.
What we do may appear simple, but its impact is powerful.
For some, Re-engage helps people maintain and rebuild friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging. For others, it is a lifeline – providing routine, purpose and something to look forward to, even during the most challenging times.
Over time, these small, regular moments grow into something much bigger. They become trusted friendships that reduce loneliness, restore confidence, and improve wellbeing.
Older person – Call Companion serviceIt made a big difference knowing someone was going to ring on the day of the calls. I knew I was going to speak to someone and I made a little list in case the conversation dried up but it never did!
60 years of connection – and a future built on it
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They give their time, energy, and compassion to support older people in their communities, and we support them to build genuine relationships that bring warmth, companionship, and meaning back into older people’s lives.
As our population ages, the need to address loneliness in later life will only increase.
Re-engage is ready to meet that need. We bring experience, a strong community, and a proven approach, and we play an active role in shaping the wider conversation about connection, belonging, and relationships in later life.
2025/26 marked the first year of our growth plan, underpinned by our Reach Further strategy, which focuses on growing our reach, deepening our understanding of loneliness and its prevention, using technology to scale, collaborating with others, and building sustainable models for future growth.
It was also our 60th year as a charity – a moment to reflect on six decades of bringing people together, recognise the contribution of our volunteers, and celebrate the thousands of relationships built along the way. It was also a moment to look forward – building on our legacy to find new ways to ensure no one faces later life alone.
Take a look at some of the highlights from our 60th anniversary year.
Reaching more people, in more ways
We expanded our services to reach more people in more places. We launched 42 new social gatherings and extended into new communities. By the final quarter, more than 200 older people were joining our services each month, reflecting both growing demand and improved access.
We continued to try new ways to bring people together, piloting Re-engage Flicks and Friends in Wales and Scotland, building on the success of our established group in Crosby, which attracts over 100 people each month.
As we grew our services, we continued to raise awareness of loneliness in later life and ensure more people know how Re-engage can help. Our partnership with ITV’s Good Morning Britain 1 Million Minutes campaign – now in its 10th year – remains an important national platform, raising awareness, and inspiring people to volunteer.
Across the year, we reached new audiences. We grew our social media community to more than 60,000 followers, increased email subscribers by 87%, and welcomed 155,000 visitors to our website. Our work generated 160 media mentions and reached 1.9 million people through our website and social media channels, helping to bring the issue of loneliness in later life into wider conversations.
This progress has been made possible through the support of key funders, including Postcode Lottery, Alfa Travel and Worwin, whose investment has enabled us to expand our reach, test new approaches, and continue building sustainable services.
Older person – Tea party serviceYears ago, I was invited to join Re-engage through a friend and I have thoroughly enjoyed the company and events. Everyone is very supportive
Out of the Quiet
Alongside this, we launched Out of the Quiet, a short film highlighting the power of connection, conversation, and companionship. With more than 250,000 views and recognition as a finalist at the Smiley Charity Film Awards, it has helped bring our work to new audiences and show the difference a simple moment of connection can make.
Listening, learning and influencing change
We continued to strengthen our understanding of older people’s experiences, ensuring our work is shaped by insight as well as need.
Our Research 100 programme has grown, bringing students from more than 10 universities into the charity – deepening insight while supporting future talent.
We have also increased our presence in national and international forums, contributing to conversations that influence policy and practice.
Our Funnel of Loneliness model, developed in partnership with the Campaign to End Loneliness, is gaining traction across sectors, helping organisations better understand and respond to loneliness in later life.
Older person – In-person activity group service Translated to English: A great idea from whoever started the initiative. Help keep everyone from being aloneSyniad gwych gan bwy bynnag oedd wedi cychwyn y fenter. Help i gadw pawb rhag bod yn unig
Making it easier for people to connect
We have invested in the systems and infrastructure that support sustainable growth.
Improvements to our digital platforms – from enhanced data and insight to more accessible online experiences – are making it easier for people to find and join our services.
We have also focused on strengthening the volunteer experience, recognising the vital role volunteers play in delivering our work every day.
These improvements are already making a measurable difference.
Over the year, we significantly reduced the time it takes to welcome both volunteers into roles and older people into services:
- Older people: from 83 to 58 days
- Volunteers: from 82 to 38 days
We also introduced new marketing tools, including enhanced website accessibility, multilingual functionality, and a new email platform, enabling us to communicate more effectively and deliver more personalised experiences for our supporters.
Building for the future
Together, this work is strengthening our foundations, expanding our reach, and increasing our impact.
As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: to reach more older people, improve how we deliver our services, and continue building a future where everyone can feel valued, connected, and part of a community.