Be the Gift Someone’s Waiting For: Join Our Gift of Friendship Volunteer Team

Age UK Norfolk is calling on kind-hearted people across the county to help us reach more older residents in need of a friendly face and a regular chat — by joining our brand-new Gift of Friendship volunteer team.

Thanks to a generous donation from The Julia Rausing Trust, as part of its wider partnership with Age UK, our new in-person befriending service has launched to overwhelming demand — and is already at full capacity. We now urgently need more volunteers to help us reach the many others who are still waiting for companionship and connection.

A Growing Crisis of Loneliness

Loneliness among older people is a growing crisis. Recent research from Age UK shows that 86,000 older people in the East of England say they have no friends — a deeply worrying statistic.

Many face isolation due to bereavement, declining health, loss of mobility or sensory impairment, or the simple fact of living alone. For those affected, the emotional toll can be huge — especially at times of year like summer, when others are enjoying holidays, family visits and social gatherings.

What Gift of Friendship Offers

Age UK Norfolk’s Gift of Friendship programme offers more than just a regular visit — it offers a lifeline. Volunteers meet with older people face-to-face each week, offering kindness, conversation, and a listening ear.

Our team also supports people to set small, meaningful goals that promote wellbeing and independence. Whether that’s going for a short walk, joining a local group, or reconnecting with a long-lost hobby, our volunteers help individuals regain confidence and feel part of their community again.

You Can Make a Real Difference

Volunteering with Gift of Friendship is flexible, rewarding, and truly life-changing — not just for the people you support, but for you too. Just an hour a week can help someone feel valued, heard, and connected once more.

“Through the Gift of Friendship programme, we aim to bring meaningful social connection to thousands of vulnerable and older people across the country.” says Simon Fourmy, Director, The Julia Rausing Trust

If you believe no one should feel forgotten or alone, we’d love to hear from you.