Posted on: 2nd November 2023

A leading charity is urging anyone with time to spare this Christmas to help a lonely older person with a phone call.

 

Re-engage, which is dedicated to ending loneliness and isolation among those aged 75 and over, is looking for volunteers to make calls throughout December to an older person who might need companionship.

 

The charity, which already runs a regular call befriending service, knows that the Christmas period can be particularly difficult for those who may not have family, friends or neighbours to call on.

 

The Community Christmas call companion scheme is flexible, short-term and home-based and volunteers will be given training and support.  You have to be at least 18 and will need a reference and complete an ID check. It’s then up to you and your designated older person to decide how often and what times the calls should be made.

 

Helen Shortall, Re-engage’s National Engagement Officer for the North, said: “We’re looking for people who are good listeners, can make people feel at ease and really want to improve the lives of lonely older people.

 

“This is initially a short-term commitment of, maybe an hour or two a week which isn’t a lot but will make a huge difference to someone who may not speak to anyone for days or weeks on end.

 

“Our volunteers get a lot of satisfaction by helping in this way and I’m sure that once someone has joined the Community Christmas call companion scheme they will be tempted to stay longer.”

 

Re-engage is also looking for hosts to help run its three groups in Leeds where older people can join a free monthly tea party to enjoy sandwiches, cake and company.

 

If you’d like to join please go to: Become a community Christmas call companion (reengage.org.uk). Or you can call: 0207 240 0630.