Agence du Bénévolat Seeks Volunteers to Tackle Elderly Loneliness

On Monday 12 October 2026, Luxembourg's Agence du Bénévolat announced an initiative to tackle loneliness and social isolation among older people by encouraging volunteer befriending through regular visits and shared activities.

The initiative aims to build lasting relationships between volunteers and older people who may experience isolation, whether living alone, in care homes or in hospital. Activities can include conversations, walks, games, singing, creative workshops and outings.

According to figures from Luxembourg's national statistics office STATEC, the number of people aged 65 and over increased by 32% between 2011 and 2021. In 2021, almost a quarter (23.6%) of older people lived alone.

The Agence du Bénévolat noted that living alone does not necessarily mean experiencing loneliness, but the loss of loved ones or reduced mobility can limit opportunities for social interaction. In response to this societal challenge the organisation aims to develop volunteer befriending: giving time to someone; listening to them and sharing moments around common interests.

A survey conducted by the Agence du Bénévolat between April and July 2026 found that almost 73% of responding organisations either wished to develop volunteer befriending initiatives or were considering doing so. Almost 76% of residential care facilities for older people contacted in Luxembourg participated in the survey.

The agency aims to support organisations in developing projects tailored to their needs, including defining volunteer roles, recruiting participants through the platform benevolat.lu and providing guidance on welcoming and supporting volunteers.

"Taking the time to listen to someone, getting to know them and coming back to see them again: that is how a human relationship is built. With volunteer befriending, we want to enable more people to experience these encounters," said Anne Hoffmann, Director of the Agence du Bénévolat.

The agency emphasised that volunteers complement the work of professional care teams rather than replacing their responsibilities.

Individuals interested in volunteering, organisations wishing to develop befriending initiatives and older people who would like to receive visits, or their relatives, can contact the Agence du Bénévolat for information and guidance on available opportunities.

The agency can also be reached by email at anne.hoffmann@benevolat.lu or by tel: 261-210.