Call companion (Telephone chit chats)

Do you have time for a chat?

We’re urgently seeking call companions - volunteers who’ll make regular phone calls to older people waiting for friendship and connection. Right now, there’s a 3-month waiting list for those needing a call companion, due to increased need across the UK. Your voice could shorten that wait.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Once matched, you’ll chat for around 30 minutes, weekly or fortnightly — at a time that suits you both
  
• Follow our friendly guidance to make calls engaging, respectful, and supportive
• Stay in touch with our coordination team; flag any concerns
• Keep updated via our volunteer newsletter and resources
•  It’s all done from home, flexible, low-key, and kind.
• You don’t need a special degree or years of experience — just qualities that make you human and compassionate:
• Friendly, patient, and kind
• Good listener, curious, able to ask questions
• Able to commit for at least 12 months
• Comfortable using basic online tools (for training, check-ins, etc.)
• Aged 18+
• We provide a 30-minute group induction, identity checks, references, and online training.

Why this matters, and why it matters for you too:

For the older person:

Many are socially isolated, cut off from community and conversation. A regular phone call can become a lifeline of friendship, reducing loneliness and helping people feel seen, heard, and remembered.

Benefits to volunteer

• Volunteering that boosts you, being a call companion can improve your own wellbeing.
•  Volunteering is linked with greater life satisfaction, lower stress, and improved mood
• Building a relationship with someone different from your usual circle can broaden perspective
•  It gives you a meaningful, regular purpose — knowing your time really matters
• You’ll also be supported and appreciated; from training, team check-ins, to volunteer recognition with our annual awards.

Take the first step

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, and can commit to, we’d love to hear from you!

What skills do I need?

Skills, attributes, experience and qualifications

• A reliable time slot for the calls
• Consistency for at least 12 months
• Readiness to engage, but also to simply listen
• An online connection (phone, internet)

When do I need to be available?

Details

Weekly, or fortnightly, at any time to suit you