All too often, loneliness is the reality for older people and nearly half of older people say the TV is their main source of company.

Social isolation and loneliness are more than an emotional experience, they have huge mental and physical health implications.  Older people living alone are significantly more likely to experience health problems, visit their GP or attend A&E.

As the ageing population continues to grow, so does the epidemic of loneliness among older people. We’re the only charity solely committed to tackling this problem by helping older people to re-engage with their communities through regular face to face contact, giving them a lifeline of friendship and, vitally, something to look forward to.

We exist to bring older people together into social groups at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing.

This year, 8,500 older guests were part of over 900 groups across the UK, supported by 14,000 volunteers.