Celebrate International Day of Happiness by Helping to Tackle Loneliness

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 in Norfolk and how we are helping

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 volunteer 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!

- Learn more about our Befriending Service 

- Sign up as a Befriending Volunteer

Please consider supporting our campaign and making a donation if you are able. Just £4 could be equivalent to the price of a small takeaway snack that offers a momentary lift. In contrast, a £4 donation offers a lasting impact by creating an enduring human connection for someone who may be experiencing loneliness.