TV UPDATE : GOOD MORNING BRITAIN .. 1 MILLION MINUTES CAMPAIGN ..ITV1 .. MONDAY NOVEMBER 27TH 2017 ..

Joan joined Piers Morgan & Suzanna Reid to launch The Annual 1 Million Minutes Campaign...
Click here to join in!
GMB 1 MILLION MINUTES CAMPAIGN 2017!

1 Million Minutes is Good Morning Britain’s award-winning campaign to encourage all of us to give as little as 30 minutes of our time to help someone who is lonely.

It could be your neighbour, your friend or someone in your community. It could even be someone you have never met.

Loneliness is a silent epidemic with more of us than ever experiencing it, or knowing people who do.

The campaign's called 1 Million Minutes, because there's estimated to be more than a million older people in the UK, who are socially isolated - for example, not speaking to a friend or family member in a week. Add to that the millions of other people like carers, those who have been bereaved and single people living alone, and there’s an awful lot of lonely people out there.

Joan with volunteers Craig.. Amy .. Angela

Our aim is to get as many minutes as possible pledged for the campaign so we can help as many people as possible.

So what do I need to do?

It’s really easy. All you need to do is click the pledge button below telling us how many minutes of your time you want to pledge. Then scroll down below to find the volunteer opportunities available.

Our main partners are: Action for Children, Age UK, Carers UK, Contact the Elderly, Independent Age, the Royal Voluntary Service, Campaign to End Loneliness, The Silver Line and the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

We are also offering people the chance to volunteer for local events and local charities dealing with loneliness through the Neighbourly website.

You can also just tell us about personal pledges you have made - whether it’s visiting a neighbour, or phoning someone you know who would appreciate the call this Christmas - by emailing us or share your pledge online on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #1MiIlionMinutes.

So what are you waiting for? Please pledge now. It only takes a minute to make someone's day.

Joan with volunteers Tom & Daniela

Here's how you can use those minutes...

30 minutes only

• Say hello to a neighbour you don’t normally talk to and invite them over for a chat or a cup of tea. Don't forget to tell us about your pledge #1MillionMinutes
• Visit a carer in your community who may be feeling socially isolated and show them how they can access support from Carers UK
• Start a conversation - become an Action for Children Hello Volunteer and say hello at the school gate, with a neighbour or your child

90 minutes only

• Accompany an older neighbour to a local event. Christmas provides lots of opportunities to take them to a festive market, church service or Christmas party. Tell us about your contributions #1MillionMinutes
• Volunteer at a local project - there are lots that work with people suffering loneliness - everything from using sporting memories to taking chickens into care homes! Find out more at Neighbourly.
• Call or visit an older friend or relative over the Christmas period. Tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #1MiIlionMinutes.
• Raise awareness of the services of The Silver Line by distributing leaflets and having friendly conversations with older members in your local community
• Become a Swap 'n' Shopper by hosting an Action for Children Swap ’n’ Shop and bring together people in your community for a fun shopping and social event ·
  

450 minutes a week (one day)

• Do you fancy volunteering for just a day at a project close to your home? It could be for Christmas or in the New Year. Find out what's available near you at Neighbourly.

60 minutes a week

• Help someone home from hospital by becoming a Royal Voluntary Service volunteer. Help support older people as they leave hospital, settle in at home and get back on their feet.
• Raise awareness of the services of The Silver Line through working with organisations and Individuals in your local community
• Spread the word to people who are lonely by pledging to give out Independent Ageloneliness packs in your local community
• Volunteer at a local project. There are lots of local opportunities. Find out more at Neighbourly.

120 minutes a week

• Become a tea party group co-ordinator and ensure the smooth running of the Contact the Elderly tea parties by communicating with drivers, hosts and guests
• Lunch or dining club volunteers at the Royal Voluntary Service bring older people together to enjoy a hot nutritious meal and socialise with friends at the same time
• Become a hospital cafe, shop or trolley volunteer for the Royal Voluntary Service and serve refreshments to patients, staff and visitors and be a friendly and compassionate point of contact
• Become a volunteer co-ordinator for Royal Voluntary Service to set up and run new services or activities in their local areas e.g. lunch club, art class, social club, dance class etc

120 minutes a month

• Become a digital volunteer with Action for Children to use the power of social media to help tackle loneliness
• Have a regular phone chat with an older person and pledge to make regular calls or visits as an Independent Age volunteer
• 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 once a week

180 minutes a month

• Drive an older person to a monthly tea party. Offer companionship to older people by picking them up, driving them to a Contact the Elderly tea party and returning them home safely.
• Or, become a tea party host. Welcome a small group of older people and their volunteer drivers into your home for a Contact the Elderly tea twice a year.
• Volunteer to help at a social event such as a coffee morning with your local Age UK
• Join the phone helpline team for The Silver Line in Blackpool and help brighten the spirits of older people by having a friendly chat