Care Home Video Conversations Soar 478% as Charity Tackles Loneliness

A UK charity connecting care home residents with volunteers has recorded a 478% year-on-year increase in the amount of time spent on video calls, as it prepares to celebrate the growing impact of its companionship programme.

Adopt a Grandparent, which matches older people living in care homes with volunteers based on shared interests and experiences, has also seen the number of video calls made increase by 394% compared with last year.3

The number of active pairings between residents and volunteers is also up 92%, reflecting continued demand for one-to-one companionship among older people living in care.

Between January and August 2026, 109 care homes registered with the programme and 289 volunteers signed up, resulting in 568 video calls and 21,119 minutes of conversation.

The figures come ahead of the first Adopt a Grandparent Charity Awards, taking place on Monday, 5th October, to coincide with Grandparents’ Day.

The charity says the growth highlights an often-overlooked issue for older people in care, with loneliness and a lack of meaningful conversation still possible even when residents are surrounded by carers, other residents and visiting family members.

Adopt a Grandparent provides an additional social connection, matching residents and volunteers according to factors including hobbies, interests, language, culture and life experience.

David Annand, Head of Operations and Fundraising at Adopt a Grandparent, has experienced the programme himself after becoming a volunteer and being matched with 86-year-old Michael, who lives at The Spinney Nursing Home in Skelmersdale.

Despite having family who regularly stay in contact, Michael wanted somebody with whom he could share interests, including Liverpool FC, music and comedy, with his weekly conversations with David developing into a close friendship.

Their connection has since led to Michael visiting Anfield Stadium and the Liverpool FC Museum after the Liverpool FC Foundation heard about his story, while the pair also appeared together at Care Shop’s Leadership Summit to speak about their friendship in front of 150 care sector delegates.

David said: “There can sometimes be an assumption that because somebody lives in a care home, loneliness is no longer an issue, but companionship is incredibly personal.

“Michael has a loving family and a care team supporting him, but sometimes he simply wants somebody who is happy to talk football with him. That is where our friendship started, and I now look forward to our conversations just as much as he does.

“The 478% increase in conversation time is hugely encouraging because behind that figure are real friendships being formed between people who might otherwise never have met.”

Adopt a Grandparent is free for care homes, residents and volunteers and is designed to complement the relationships and activities already available within care settings.

The charity will mark its growth at the inaugural Adopt a Grandparent Charity Awards 2026: A Celebration of Grandparents, sponsored by Care Shop.

Taking place from 12pm to 4pm at the Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park on 5th October, the event will bring together donors, sponsors, ambassadors and supporters, with five awards presented to individuals and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the charity.

Funds will also be raised through a raffle and auction to support the continued expansion of the programme.

David added: “The growth we have seen shows there is a genuine appetite for this kind of connection, and we want to make sure even more older people have the opportunity to benefit from it.

“The awards give us the chance to recognise the people who have helped make that possible while continuing the wider conversation around loneliness in later life.”

With a limited number of tickets still available, anyone interested in attending the event should email David at DavidA@adoptagrandparent.org.uk.