Hato Hone St John welcomes ASB as first official sponsor of the Caring Caller programme

Hato Hone St John is delighted to announce ASB as the first major sponsor of the St John Caring Caller programme.

Caring Caller is a service dedicated to combating loneliness and social isolation through weekly phone calls from Caring Caller volunteers.

Hato Hone St John and ASB are committed to enhancing the programme's impact, ensuring it reaches more individuals in need of companionship and support.

Pete Loveridge, Hato Hone St John's Deputy Chief Executive of Community Health, says this partnership underscores the organisations’ continued dedication to improving community health and wellbeing across Aotearoa.

“With ASB's support, the Caring Caller programme is poised for significant growth. Over the next three years this partnership will help elevate awareness, attract more volunteers, and increase the programme’s reach across the motu.

“About 50,000 connection calls are currently made annually, and this number is expected to grow as we engage more Kiwi, particularly in rural areas.”

ASB is a long-standing partner of Hato Hone St John and has been a steadfast supporter of the Caring Caller programme since 2010.

“Their team of dedicated staff volunteers has played a vital role in connecting with call recipients nationwide and many have built longstanding friendships through their weekly phone calls.”

Mark Graham, ASB’s Executive Manager Commercial Partnerships, says this evolution of the partnership will further encourage New Zealanders to volunteer, fostering greater community connection and support throughout Aotearoa.

“The power of social connection helps to build mental wellbeing and we are proud to be backing the Caring Caller programme and the positive impact it has across our communities. This is the next phase of our ongoing support of Hato Hone St John and will provide comfort and support to people when they need it most,” says Graham.

Operating for 26 years, the Caring Caller programme ensures vital support and human connection, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Each week, volunteers make comforting phone calls, offering companionship and reassurance while also providing peace of mind to families, knowing that their loved ones are being checked in on regularly.

Currently, the programme offers support in English, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and Hindi, with plans to expand multilingual services to include Te Reo Māori and Gagana Samoa by the end of 2025.