Become a Christmas call companion

Remote opportunity

• 2-4 hours per week

Unlimited positions available

As a Christmas call companion, you will be offering vital support to an older person experiencing loneliness or isolation during the festive period. Your role will involve making regular phone calls throughout December, bringing warmth and companionship into their life at a time when they might feel most alone.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Making regular calls: You’ll be matched with an older person who is socially isolated. You’ll make friendly, engaging calls that give them something to look forward to each week in December.
• Providing companionship: Your chats will help reduce loneliness and make the older person feel more connected. Whether discussing their favourite memories, shared interests, or just how their week is going, you’ll be giving them a meaningful connection to the outside world.
• Listening and showing empathy: Sometimes, just having someone who listens can make all the difference. You’ll be offering a listening ear and emotional support, which is often as valuable as the conversation itself.
• Adhering to safeguarding: You’ll be trained to follow safeguarding guidelines, ensuring that you know how to protect both yourself and the older person during your interactions.

The role is fully remote, so you’ll be able to volunteer from anywhere. You’ll receive full support and guidance from our team to help you in this valuable and rewarding role.

Make a difference this Christmas by offering your time and friendship to someone in need.

The Ideal Volunteer: Christmas Call Companion

Our ideal volunteer is someone who is passionate about making a difference, especially during the festive season. You don’t need any previous experience—just an enthusiasm for connecting with others and a genuine desire to support older people experiencing loneliness.

Here are some qualities we’re looking for:

• Good communicator: You enjoy engaging in conversation, are a good listener, and can empathise with others. You’ll need to build a friendly rapport over the phone and make the older person feel heard and valued.
• Reliable and consistent: Your calls will be something the older person looks forward to, so reliability is key. You should be committed to making regular calls and offering your time throughout December.
• Empathetic and compassionate: Patience, understanding, and a warm-hearted approach are essential. Many of the people you’ll be speaking to may be lonely or feeling isolated, and your support can make a big difference.
• Respectful and trustworthy: You will be trusted with personal conversations, so it’s important to respect the privacy and dignity of the person you’re paired with, following safeguarding guidelines provided.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Make a real impact: Your calls will provide companionship, brighten someone’s day, and help combat loneliness during what can be a difficult time of year.
• Learn new skills: From improving your communication and empathy skills to gaining experience in volunteering, you’ll develop important abilities that are valuable in both personal and professional life.
• Be part of a community: As a Re-engage volunteer, you’ll join a supportive network of volunteers who share your commitment to helping others and making a meaningful contribution to society.

No specific skills are required—just a passion for helping others and a bit of time to offer. If you have a warm heart and are looking to make a positive difference this Christmas, we’d love to have you on board!

The Impact of the Christmas Call Companion Role

By volunteering as a Christmas call companion, you will have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of older people who are feeling lonely or isolated during the festive period. Your regular phone calls will provide them with a sense of connection and companionship, something that can truly transform their outlook during a time that can feel especially isolating.

Here’s the difference you’ll make:

• Reducing loneliness: Your weekly calls will help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation for older people. Re-engage’s services have consistently shown a 47% reduction in older people who report often or always feeling lonely.
• Creating a lifeline of companionship: The festive season can be a particularly challenging time for those who live alone, but your friendly chats will give them something to look forward to, bringing joy and comfort into their lives. Nine out of 10 older people in our services say they now have ‘something to look forward to’ thanks to Re-engage.
• Fulfilling experience for volunteers: Almost all of our volunteers—96%—report feeling like they are truly making a difference. Knowing that your time and care are improving someone’s day will give you a strong sense of fulfilment and purpose.
• Building lasting connections: You’ll create a meaningful bond with the person you’re matched with, helping them feel more connected to the world around them. 

As one of our older guests shared, "I look forward to Wednesday evenings as I have a lovely young man phoning me; we have a good laugh and try to put the world to rights."

Volunteering with Re-engage is about more than just giving your time—it’s about offering companionship and kindness to those who need it most. Your impact will be felt immediately, and the difference you make will be remembered long after the festive season ends.

What to Bring:

As a Christmas call companion, your role is fully remote, so there’s no need to bring any special clothing or equipment. All you’ll need is:

• A phone: Ensure you have access to a phone to make your regular calls.
• A quiet, comfortable space: Find a spot where you can have relaxed conversations without interruptions.
• Notepad and pen (optional): You may want to jot down any important details or memorable moments to help build connections over time.

There’s no need to worry about food or water, as you’ll be volunteering from home at a time that suits you.

The Christmas call companion role is fully remote, allowing you to volunteer from the comfort of your own home, office or anywhere in the UK.

Accessibility
This opportunity is accessible to people with different needs. If you have any specific requirements, we encourage you to contact us so we can discuss how best to support you.

This is a fun, flexible, and rewarding role that allows you to make a real and lasting difference in the life of an older person experiencing social isolation or loneliness during what can be an incredibly difficult time of year.

As a valued Re-engage volunteer, you’ll receive full training and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and equipped to make the most of your calls. The Re-engage team will provide regular updates and communication throughout your time with us, ensuring you feel connected and supported every step of the way.

No specific experience is required—just a warm heart and the willingness to connect with others!