Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund’s £20 million AdvantAGE programme aims to improve the quality of life for people aged over 50 in Wales. Alongside this we have a launched a befriending campaign to encourage people to volunteer to make friends with an older person.

If you could volunteer to spend some spare time laughing and chatting with an older person open the postcards pack Postcards for the Advantage programme. - 531KB on this page and register your interest below.

Factfile

• Wales has the highest percentage of older people in the UK
• Pensioners now outnumber children aged 16 or under for the first time
• Social get-togethers reduce loneliness and have a positive impact upon health and well-being
• After joining a befriending session, 82% of older people felt they had something to look forward to
• We live in a society where 1 in 7 is a pensioner living alone
• Befriending makes a valued and valuable contribution to people’s lives

If you would like to make a difference to an older person’s life please email ben.payne@biglotteryfund.org.uk and include the following details:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Email address

Please also indicate which organisation you would be interested in volunteering for:

• Age Cymru
• WRVS

You can also find out about other befriending services across Wales by contacting Age Alliance Wales on 029 2043 1574 or the Wales Council for Voluntary Action on 0800 288 8329.