Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2025: Stories That Stay With You

You don’t need a cape to be a hero - sometimes, all it takes is picking up the phone.

At Adopt A Grandparent, our volunteers are everyday people doing something quietly extraordinary: building friendships across generations through weekly chats, heartfelt laughter, and moments of real connection.

This Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June), we’re not just saying thank you, we’re shining a light on the powerful ripple effect our volunteers create. Because when you spend a few minutes a week talking to someone who may otherwise go days without hearing a friendly voice, you’re not just filling time. You’re filling a gap that matters.

From heartwarming stories to life lessons, our volunteers gain as much as they give. So, this week, we’re sharing some of their journeys, starting with two inspiring women, Precious and Carly, whose stories remind us why this work is so important.

Precious: “Since I started, I haven’t stopped smiling.”

Precious is a 38-year-old professional carer with a lifelong passion for supporting the elderly. From volunteering during her school days, to her current role at Dahlia Old Age Home, every step of her journey has been about making a difference.

When she joined Adopt A Grandparent, she found something unexpectedly personal.

“My journey with elderly people is purely driven by love and passion. Since I started, I haven’t stopped smiling and talking about my AAG granny. I’ve found new joy that can’t be explained. Losing your grandparents early and gaining one later is the most amazing thing - as much as I’m keeping company, I’m gaining one.”

One of her most special moments so far?

“When my AAG granny spoke about her love of flowers, her face lit up. It made me want to draw them for her, just to see that smile again.”

Carly - “We’ve made his day!”

Carly is a 38-year-old mother of four who runs a small building business with her husband. Compassionate, community-minded, and full of heart, Carly and her family found Adopt A Grandparent while looking for ways to give back after losing a loved one.

They were matched with Bill, a resident at Parkview Care Home, and had their first video call as a family. Carly’s daughter even showed Bill a picture she’d drawn - and his response brought everyone to tears.

“We were so pleased to see how happy it made him. He even cried! My little girl Daisey turned to me and said, ‘Mummy, look - we’ve made his day.’ That’s when we knew this was something really special.”

Carly now hopes to visit Bill in person soon and continue the friendship they’ve started online.

Why We Celebrate Volunteers’ Week

Our volunteers aren’t just kind, they’re life-changing. They show up with a smile, a story, a steady presence. They give older people something to look forward to, and in return, they gain something just as valuable: perspective, purpose, and powerful new friendships.

Whether you’re 14 or 84, the impact goes both ways.

To our volunteers - thank you for every single call, every shared memory, every laugh. You are the soul of Adopt A Grandparent.

Ready to make your own connection?

Sign up to volunteer at www.adoptagrandparent.org.uk or email us at [email protected].