This International Day of Happiness (20th March), we're raising funds for a cause close to our hearts: telephone befriending for older people. A simple chat can brighten someone's day and remind them that they're not alone.
For just £4 per call, you can help us make a meaningful connection with someone who may be feeling isolated. Our goal is to raise £1,000, which will fund 250 calls to spread joy and companionship to older people in need.
💖 How Your Donation Helps:
• £4 = One 30-minute telephone call to an older person
• £1,000 = 250 calls and 250 moments of joy, connection, and happiness
Loneliness and social isolation among older adults in Norfolk, UK, are significant concerns, with a notable impact on individuals aged 50 and over. Recent assessments indicate that between 5% and 13% of adults in Norfolk often or always feel lonely (Norfolk Insight).
The county's aging population exacerbates these issues, as Norfolk is projected to experience a higher increase in older residents compared to the rest of England (Norfolk Insight).
Age UK Norfolk provides a befriending service that matches lonely and isolated older individuals with Age UK Norfolk companions, aiming to reduce loneliness by providing a friendly, weekly phone call.
In 2023-2024, we provided over 12,000 befriending calls for older people in the county – that’s over 4,000 hours of befriending!