Loneliness affects many older people in care homes, and it becomes harder still for those living with dementia. At the same time, teenagers are often judged unfairly. YOPEY’s dementia befriending project in the East of England challenges both ideas at once. It pairs lonely residents with young volunteers who bring energy, curiosity and genuine care.
Tony Gearing, a former journalist, founded YOPEY in the early 2000s after growing frustrated by negative media coverage of young people. In response, he set out to prove that teenagers could be a force for good. In 2012, the charity evolved into the YOPEY Befriender programme, shifting from celebrating individuals to creating sustained, hands-on volunteering opportunities.
Confidence for Young People, Connection for Residents
Every volunteer completes dementia-awareness and safeguarding training before their first visit. They commit to at least one hour a week, offering conversation, music, arts and crafts, and reminiscence activities tailored to each resident’s interests. For residents, this regular contact brings calm, connection and fewer lonely days. For young volunteers, it builds patience, empathy and communication skills that often shape their future, particularly those studying health and social care. Today, YOPEY works with volunteers and trustees across 15 to 20 care homes, reaching more than 500 residents and 200 young people every year.
Expanding YOPEY Dementia Befriending North
With funding from John Good Group, YOPEY could trial their Independent YOPEY Dementia Befriender scheme in other parts of the country. Any sixth former can join. This support is less hands-on and more virtual: volunteers complete training online, and support runs via email and telephone. The charity is also exploring how AI could strengthen this support.
They are also currently aiming to expand their dementia befriending work into two rural care homes in Suffolk and Norfolk. Here, funding could recruit and train up to 10 new young volunteers, supporting up to 25 residents, many living with dementia. Funding will cover everything each volunteer needs, including training, support from YOPEY, and travel assistance if required. Each volunteer should commit to at least one hour a week for up to 12 months, creating up to 520 hours of companionship in total.
“YOPEY inspires, trains and supports teenagers to befriend elderly care home residents, many lonely and many living with dementia. The young people reconnect the elderly with the world outside the care home, and they learn life skills, from patience and empathy to how to care for someone with dementia.”
“YOPEY is exactly the kind of small, founder-led charity we love to support. Tony Gearing brings real warmth and an unusual ability to connect with teenagers on their own level, which is why schools keep coming back to work with him. Behind him sits a strong, experienced trustee board, including former Young People of the Year award winners who now bring expertise in psychology and advocacy. This new dementia befriending project will bring real comfort and connection to residents in Suffolk and Norfolk who might otherwise go unvisited. We’re confident YOPEY’s model can grow well beyond its current reach.”
Latest Project Updates
June 2026
Grants for Good Finalist
YOPEY has become one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good round, funded by the John Good Group, and will receive a grant between £2000 and £5000 after employees at the John Good Group have voted on their favourite causes.