1 Million Minutes
There are more than 1 million older people who are chronically lonely. Yet it only takes a minute to make someone’s day.
Christmas and the New Year is one of the loneliest times for older people. That’s why Good Morning Britain is launching our 1 Million Minutes campaign to ask you to pledge just 30 minutes of your time to help an older person.
We have teamed up with The Silver Line, Royal Voluntary Service, Age UK and Campaign to End Loneliness to offer you specific volunteering opportunities or you can just pledge to help an elderly neighbour, friend or relative before Christmas.
So what do I need to do?Pledge as much time as you can offer using the buttons below
Once you have decided how much time you can give, make sure you pick one of the opportunities below. If that involves volunteering with one of our charities, make sure you click through on their name to register your interest and find out more.
1 Million Minute Pledging Options
...30 minutes a week?
Pledge to volunteer with The Silver Line to befriend and speak to one older person on the phone weekly
In the run up to Christmas and beyond, pledge to make a regular phone call or visit to an older friend or family member.
Pledge to volunteer for Age UK's telephone befriending service, Call in Time, and have a regular friendly chat on the phone with an older person
...60 minutes a week?
Share with @Age_UK, your pledge to make two or three visits to an older family member or friend in the run up to Christmas
Pledge to volunteer with The Silver Line to befriend and speak to two older people on the phone weekly
Over the Christmas period, pledge to spend some time teaching an older friend or family member how to use a digital tool like Skype or FaceTime.
...120 minutes a week?
Pledge to visit an older person through the work of the Royal Voluntary Service
In the run up to Christmas, pledge to volunteer locally with an Age UK in your area, at a social activity such as a lunch club or coffee morning
Pledge to push a trolley around a hospital ward and provide vital companionship and refreshments to older patients through the Royal Voluntary Service
...120 minutes a month?
Help out at a Royal Voluntary Service lunch club for older people
Pledge to volunteer with The Silver Line to befriend and speak to one older person across the month
...60 minutes only?
Pledge to assist an older person with shopping or pack and deliver a festive hamper around Christmas time through the Royal Voluntary Service
Enquire at your local Age UK about helping out at a specific Christmas event
Call or visit an older relative or friend this Christmas for a cuppa and a chat, and mention to them about The Silver Line
...30 minutes only?
Pop in and see an older neighbour or friend and offer to run some Christmas errands.
Call and elderly friend or neighbour you haven't spoken to for a few months.
To find out more about how loneliness affects older people visit Campaign to End Loneliness