Trevor’s mission to end loneliness among elderly is a Game Changer

The founder of Re-Engage (formerly Contact the Elderly), has spent decades helping older people find companionship by connecting them with volunteers. Supported by more than £1MMillion in funding made possible by National Lottery players, the project’s 7000 volunteers have helped 8500 lonely and isolated older people using a simple formula of tea, cake and companionship.

Trevor’s indefatigable work helping older people has seen him selected as a National Lottery Game Changer – people who have done extraordinary things over the past 30 years with the help of National Lottery funding.

A total of 30 Game Changers will be announced over the coming months as part of The National Lottery’s 30th birthday celebrations. Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30MMillion is raised every week for good causes across the UK.

Trevor said, “The National Lottery has enabled us to expand our monthly companionships with the elderly and outreach to new communities. We’ve been able to host even more Tea Parties and grow the volunteer base to enable us to tackle isolation among older people.”

The seeds of Re-Engage were sown in 1965 when Trevor, who is now in his 80s, met an elderly woman living near him in London. The woman had no friends or family nearby, so Trevor and a group of friends took her on an outing to Hampton Court.

After the success of that first meet-up Trevor decided to set-up further groups and Contact the Elderly was born.

Trevor said, “Everyone can be a game changer in their local community and make a huge difference to the lives of those around them – all you need is a warm heart, a warm welcome, a downstairs toilet, and a large teapot.”

24th October 2024