Befriending Week 2025
Published on 03 November 2025 05:39 PM
Age UK Solihull is supporting Befriending Week, an annual campaign to celebrate befriending and highlight the power of social connection in reducing loneliness and social isolation.
We offer befriending to older residents of the Solihull borough who live alone with no family or other support nearby. Volunteer befrienders are matched with older people based on shared interests and personalities to encourage meaningful connections and lasting friendships. Befrienders visit or telephone the older person they are matched with on a weekly basis for a chat and often a hot drink, games or other activities.
During Befriending Week, which is 1-7 November, communities across the UK and beyond gather online and in person to raise awareness about befriending, celebrate the contributions of befriending volunteers and the staff who support them, and advocate for befriending to local and national decision-makers.
Solihull has one of the fastest ageing populations in the country, and it is estimated that over 3,400 over 65s in Solihull feel lonely, compared to an average of 3,406 across the West Midlands and 2,633 in the UK.
With increasing isolation and financial hardship among residents, the need for befriending remains high. The service makes a real difference to older people who often have no other opportunity socialise all week, and the volunteer befrienders often find the arrangement just as beneficial.
Jean has been befriending for Age UK Solihull for almost three years. She visits Wendy, who lives alone with no family nearby, once a week.
Jean says, “Befriending is something I can do easily as I love to talk to people! I started in Shropshire where we used to live so when we moved to this area it was an easy choice to make to be able to give back to the community in a small way.”
Wendy and Jean were matched based on shared interests, and they have developed a great friendship. “Wendy has become like a friend, we have our past occupation of teaching in common, we both enjoy reading & have both lived overseas. I feel we have the same outlook on life, never taking anything too seriously & just enjoying what we have & do each day. I look forward to visiting her and think she feels the same.”
Age UK Solihull is looking for more befrienders, like Jean, to join their team.
Jean recommends volunteering for Age UK Solihull, saying, “This is a great scheme & is an easy way to volunteer if people have a couple of hours free each week.”
Hilary Tomlinson, Older People’s Services Manager at Age UK Solihull, says, “Our befriending service is a lifeline to hundreds of older people in Solihull who are lonely or isolated and have no other opportunity for social interaction. It is always heartwarming to hear about the friendships formed through the service and the enormous difference it can make. We want to be able to provide friendship for every older person in Solihull who needs it, so we hope that people will be inspired to join our team and help make a difference.”
Cat Major, Communications Officer at campaign organiser Befriending Networks says, “In a time when the cost-of-living crisis is limiting people’s ability to take part in social activities, befriending can be a vital lifeline to help build meaningful connections and improve wellbeing. We’re delighted that Befriending Week can provide a platform to recognise the passion and dedication of befriending teams and share the impact of their work.”
Become a volunteer befriender for Age UK Solihull
More about our befriending service
Befriending Week takes place every year from 1 to 7 November. To find out more about the campaign and how to take part, visit.