In a quiet corner of Glasgow, a woman with no political power, no fortune, and no PR machine is quietly changing lives. And now, she’s earned a medal from the Crown for doing it.
Audrey Mutongi-Darko, founder of The No.1 Befriending Agency, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her relentless work supporting elderly people suffering from loneliness and isolation—work that has touched hundreds of lives and inspired volunteers across Scotland.
More Than Just a Service—A Lifeline
The No.1 Befriending Agency, launched in 2016, isn’t flashy. There are no glossy advertisements, no celebrity endorsements. But behind the modest name is something powerful: a system that matches trained volunteers with older adults who’d otherwise spend days or even weeks without a single conversation.
It began with Audrey’s experience in care work. She saw what loneliness does to people.
“I’d meet these elderly men and women who were just…waiting,” she once said. “Waiting for someone to call. Or to knock.”
So she did something about it.
600 Matches, 700 Volunteers, and Counting
In the last eight years, the agency has made over 600 one-to-one matches, pairing older people with volunteers who provide regular companionship. Not just a cup of tea and a chat—though sometimes that’s enough—but actual connection.
What started with a handful of calls now includes:
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Emotional support that spans years, not weeks
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700+ trained volunteers who understand the importance of listening
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Events and group outings that bring a sense of belonging
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Ongoing training in digital literacy and communication
One older participant described it simply:
“They remembered my birthday. No one’s done that in years.”
When COVID Hit, They Didn’t Back Down
2020 could’ve crushed the whole thing.
Instead, it proved what Audrey and her team were made of.
During the pandemic, when most elderly people became completely cut off, The No.1 Befriending Agency moved fast. They launched a telephone service almost immediately, then secured iPads and internet access for seniors who wanted to stay connected.
Zoom calls replaced meet-ups. And suddenly, people in their 80s were waving at each other from screens.
“It was odd at first,” one Glaswegian granny admitted. “But better than the silence.”
Audrey also made sure her volunteers got digital training. So no one—neither the seniors nor the helpers—was left fumbling with mute buttons.
In 2021, the UK Prime Minister recognized her with a Points of Light Award, applauding her for volunteer service during the crisis.
Photo Moments, Then Back to Work
On May 23, 2025, Audrey received the British Empire Medal.
She posed for a few photos. Shook hands. Smiled. Later this year, she’ll meet King Charles III at a royal garden party.
But there’s no indication she’s slowing down. The calls keep coming in. The waiting list of older people still hoping for a friend hasn’t disappeared.
“I don’t do this for the recognition,” she said. “But I won’t lie—it helps when the team sees people noticing.”
Table: The No.1 Befriending Agency — By The Numbers (2016–2025)
| Metric | Total (As of 2025) |
|---|---|
| One-to-One Matches | 600+ |
| Volunteers Trained | 700+ |
| COVID Lockdown iPads Deployed | 120+ |
| Telephone Befriending Calls | 15,000+ (estimated) |
| Community Events Hosted | 80+ |
| Awards Received | 2 national awards |
Audrey is a proud member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland, which has quietly supported her from the start.
Her approach isn’t loud or corporate. It’s personal. Many volunteers are from the local community. Some are seniors themselves. Others are university students. But all share one thing—compassion.
Lawrence R., 24, one of the youngest volunteers, said it changed his life.
“I signed up to help an old man. Instead, I made a friend. I learned more about love, loss, and loyalty in a year than I had my whole life.”
Looking Ahead, Not Looking Away
Despite the recognition, the challenges haven’t gone away. Isolation remains a huge problem among Scotland’s elderly population.
A 2024 report by Age Scotland showed that more than 100,000 older adults describe themselves as “often lonely.” That’s 1 in 5.
And loneliness isn’t just emotional—it’s physical. The same report found increased risk of dementia, heart disease, and early mortality in chronically isolated seniors.
This is where Audrey’s work lands. Not as charity. Not as a quick fix. But as quiet resistance to a world that forgets people once they’ve grown old.
