Why introduce someone to us?
We offer free services that help people aged 75 and over who are lonely, isolated, or in need of companionship.
Our activities are designed to create lasting social connections in a friendly, safe, and inclusive way:
Tea parties
Held monthly across the UK, our tea parties offer a change of scenery and a chance to enjoy relaxed afternoons of conversation and laughter with new friends.
Call Companions
Our Call Companion volunteers provide regular chats over the phone, offering a lifeline of friendship and a vital connection to the outside world.
Rainbow Call Companions
Rainbow Call Companions is our award-winning telephone befriending service for older LGBT+ people, a particularly marginalised group.
Volunteers who also identify as LGBT+ offer regular, friendly calls to help build connection and community.
Find out more about our rainbow call companion service.
Activity groups
Available online and in-person across Bristol and the South West, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, London, Scotland, Wales, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire, our activity groups help older people stay active and meet new people.
Who can refer
Anyone can introduce an older person to us, including family, friends, social and health care professionals, day centres, churches and other charities. We welcome referrals from NHS link workers.
How do tea parties work?
1. Once a month, usually on a Sunday
A group of between eight to 15 people gather in a volunteer’s home for an afternoon of conversation and connection.
2. Volunteer drivers
Collect older guests from their homes and bring them to the tea party.
3. Tea, cake and companionship
Guests enjoy refreshments, conversation, and a change of sceneary in a friendly welcoming environment.
4. Heading home
Our volunteer drivers take guests home safely – often enjoying a bit of one on one conversation on the way.
How does Call Companions and Rainbow Call Companions work?
The idea is simple but powerful: a volunteer regularly calls the same older person for a friendly, informal chat.
Call Companions: Available to anyone aged 75 and over who might benefit from regular conversation.
Rainbow Call Companions: Our award-winning service for LGBT+ older people. Volunteers and guests are both part of the LGBT+ community.
Calls are arranged at a time that suits the older person and their volunteer. They usually take place two to four times a month and last around 30 minutes.
How do activity groups work?
1. Accessible and local
We offer both online and face-to-face groups in community venues across the UK.
2. Volunteer drivers
Transport guests to and from the sessions.
3. Friendly, gentle sessions
Groups focus on light exercise or engaging activities, followed by time to chat over light refreshments.
4. Home again
Volunteer drivers ensure guests get home safely, with a bit of personal connection along the way.
FAQs for referrers
For more information on who our services are suitable for, and what you need to know before making a referral, read our FAQs.
How we work with older people
Suitability and referrals
Krissy,
Nurse, NHS ScotlandAs a Mental Health Staff Nurse, I see at close quarters the detrimental effect loneliness and isolation can have. I started to refer patients in the hope that it would help alleviate that loneliness. I can now truly say that attending the groups can make a huge difference.