Make a FriendBe Someone's Bright Spot
What is Make a Friend?
A simple way to bring joy to someone who needs it, and receive just as much in return.
Meaningful Connection
Be matched with someone in aged care who would love regular friendly contact through letters or visits.
Simple & Supportive
We provide templates, conversation starters, and gentle guidance so you never feel awkward or unsure.
Safe & Vetted
All volunteers are compliance-checked and matched thoughtfully. Clear boundaries protect everyone.
No Experience Needed
You're a friend, not a carer. Just kindness, a listening ear, and a willingness to show up.
Join in 3 Simple Steps
Sign up takes 30 seconds. Then we handle the rest.
One-Click Sign Up
Just your name, email, and location. That's it.
Get Matched
Care organisations connect you with someone who'd love a friend
Connect
Start your meaningful friendship on your schedule
You're Not a Carer, You're a Friend
Make a Friend volunteers don't provide care, medical advice, or professional support. You're there to chat, share stories, and bring a little warmth to someone's day. That's it, and that's everything.
Connect, Contribute, Create Impact
When you join the Make a Friend Program, your kindness becomes measurable. These metrics show exactly how your connection transforms lives, giving you proof of impact and organisations the evidence they need.
Quality of Life Metric
Contribute → Equivalent Care Hours
Every visit, call, or letter you send through Make a Friend has real value. The QoL Metric converts your social connection activities into equivalent care hours, demonstrating how your friendship directly contributes to someone's wellbeing.
How you create impact as a Friend:
- Weekly visits convert to meaningful care hour equivalents
- Phone calls and letters add to your cumulative wellbeing contribution
- Receive recognition badges celebrating your friendship milestones
Loneliness Mitigation Index
Connect → Connection Score (0-100)
Your friendship reduces isolation. The LMI tracks how your ongoing connection through Make a Friend protects someone from loneliness, providing research-backed evidence for funders and care providers.
Why organisations value this data:
- Evidence-based data for grant applications and impact reports
- Demonstrate ROI of Make a Friend volunteers to stakeholders
- Meet regulatory requirements with proof of social connection
- Identify residents at risk of isolation before it becomes critical
Connect
Join Make a Friend and be matched with someone who needs companionship. Your friendship starts a journey of meaningful connection.
Contribute
Visit, call, or write to your friend regularly. Every interaction is tracked via the QoL Metric as equivalent care hours.
Create Impact
Watch your Loneliness Mitigation Index grow. Your consistent friendship creates measurable, lasting wellbeing improvements.
What Our Friends Say
"I was nervous at first, but Margaret made it so easy. We talk about our gardens every week - she's taught me more about roses than I ever knew!"
Sarah, Volunteer
6 months as a friend
"The templates really helped me know what to say. Now Tom and I have our own jokes and stories. He lights up when I call."
Michael, Volunteer
1 year as a friend
For Corporate Partners
Empower your team to make a difference. Track participation, social impact hours, and team morale with our corporate reporting dashboard.
- Team-wide impact dashboards
- ESG & CSR reporting
- Loneliness Mitigation Index
Social Impact Metrics
Track your team's contribution to reducing loneliness in care communities.
A weighted score measuring connection impact: visits, letters, and consistent engagement with matched friends.
Someone's Waiting for You
30 minutes can transform someone's entire week. Start your journey as a friend today.
Explore SuggiCare
The world's largest care volunteer marketplace. Find opportunities, connect with organisations, and make a difference.
Volunteer Marketplace
Find meaningful volunteer opportunities to combat loneliness
Organisation Directory
850,000+ nonprofits fighting loneliness across 50+ countries
Aged Care Volunteering
Reduce loneliness in elderly care facilities
Disability Care
NDIS volunteer and support opportunities
Fight Loneliness
Join the movement against the loneliness epidemic
Find By Location
Browse loneliness prevention opportunities in your city
Make a Friend Program Blueprint
The twelve month managed bond journey, from first letter to lasting friendship.
- Month by month milestones and prompts
- Vetting, safeguarding and coordinator load
- How corporates run it as a team program