I want to help lonely people

[Workinghardeveryday]

I really struggle being lonely,

I have dp and 3 kids so people automatically assume I wouldn’t be lonely. I really am, very much so.

it is having a massive impact on my life and has for a long time. I realised I would really like to help other people like me to feel better. Everything I see online is about the elderly. I really want to support this too as I few this will be me one day.

is there anything I can volunteer for that is for everyone?

#know

How about calling a charity and asking to help. Don’t Samaritans run friendship programs for the elderly? I could be wrong - but it’s one of the big charities. A lovely thing to do OP, and sorry to hear you’re lonely. I don’t have many friends but I am happier that way, my colleagues and family are enough social interaction for me! Do you get on with anyone at work? How about friends of your husband?

Silverline is telephone befriending for the elderly, maybe ask at your local foodbank, church etc.

I'm confused. You are actually looking for a cure for your own loneliness right? By"helping" other lonely people by what talking to them?

It is great you want to help, but you need to be aware of your own boundaries too.
It is too easy to be swept along into a "helper" role and be taken advantage of.

Hi OP, I'm sorry you're feeling lonely. In some parts of the country, there are befriending schemes as part of social prescribing, via the NHS. It sounds to me very up your street, I'm not sure if its available everywhere. People with low mood can be prescribed roles to help others in the community, eg. helping an isolated elderly person with their shopping, or visiting them. Or helping at a community centre. Presumably everyone has a DRB check and other safeguards in place, and also this wouldn't be forced on anyone.
But it makes sense to me, as the person helping knows they're doing something positive for someone else, and that helps their self-esteem and wellbeing, as well as obviously helping the other person!
Charities need volunteers too of course and would have training and safeguarding in place. Well done you for wanting to do something positive in the world.

Type into Google volunteering [your area] and hopefully a list of roles will come up. I’m currently volunteering as a befriended.

Thank you all for your comments.

I thought it could really help me and the other person and possibly even make friends out of it!

I just want to do some good and help someone who feels lonely, it’s an awful place to be.

I would like to do it by phone if that is possible? Does anyone know?

I know there are telephone befriending services but don't know which charities provide them. I think if you google volunteer befriending opportunities you will be able to find some :)