New Study Suggests Bingo! and Volunteering Could be Secret to Living Longer

_{Enjoying the benefits of Bingo at a Bingo hall in Knotty Ash. (Image: Chris Bull/Alamy)}

Social games and community connection may help reverse frailty, even in later life and socialising might do more than lift your spirits, it could help you live longer.

A new study, led by Newcastle University and part-funded by the British Heart Foundation, has found that older adults who engage in regular social activities, from bingo nights to family dinners, are significantly less likely to become frail.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggest it’s never too late to reap the benefits of connection. Researchers found that even those already showing signs of frailty could strengthen their physical health by becoming more socially active.

The Power of Play and People

Frailty affects around 10% of adults over 65 and 25% of those over 85, often leading to slower movement, weakness, and a higher risk of falls or hospitalisation. But according to lead researcher Professor Sheena Ramsay, the condition doesn’t have to be permanent.

“Our study shows that frailty is not inevitable,” Ramsay said. 

“Some people recover from early stages of frailty, and becoming more socially active could be one of the factors that can make this happen.”

The research followed nearly 2,000 participants in the UK and US for up to eight years, assessing how often they engaged in 10 different social activities, from writing letters and dining out to volunteering and playing bingo.

Those who increased their social activity over time were up to 79% more likely to reverse frailty or pre-frailty and become physically robust again.

Bingo, Bridge and a Boost to Health

The study found that even a small uptick in social life, say, joining a weekly card group or going out to dinner, made a measurable difference.

For every one-point increase on a person’s “social activity score,” the risk of developing frailty dropped by 31% among British participants and 44% among Americans.

That means even modest changes, one extra hobby, one regular lunch date, can add up to a stronger, healthier life.

First author Dr. Ziyi Cai from Newcastle University said the link is likely both behavioural and biological.
“People who are socially connected may have friends and loved ones supporting them to have healthier lives and access to healthcare, which could ward off frailty,” Cai said.

“On the other hand, people who are more isolated may be less active, sleep and eat less well, and be less likely to get the care they need.”

Fighting Loneliness, One Game at a Time

Loneliness, researchers noted, was also tied to higher frailty risk. In the UK cohort, people who became lonelier over time were 50% more likely to develop frailty. Experts believe this could stem from our evolutionary wiring: humans have long relied on social groups for survival, and prolonged isolation can trigger chronic stress responses that harm health.

Interestingly, loneliness can affect even those who appear highly social but feel unsupported or disconnected beneath the surface.

A New Prescription: Get Out There

The study bolsters a growing NHS approach known as social prescribing, where doctors recommend community-based activities like walking clubs, volunteering or local art classes as part of overall health care.

Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the results support broader evidence that social life is essential for wellbeing.

“This study adds to a growing body of evidence that social activities are good for our health, while loneliness and isolation can be detrimental,” Babu-Narayan said.

“Exercise, such as resistance or strength training, and maintaining good nutrition are major factors that can reduce frailty. Trying new group activities like volunteering, for those who can, may help to keep living well for longer.”

The Broader Picture: Socialising Boosts Both Body and Mind

The Newcastle research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that connection isn’t just good for physical health, it also benefits mental wellbeing.

An earlier study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology analysed data from more than 9,000 Europeans aged 50 and over as part of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). It found that increased participation in religious organisations was linked to a measurable decline in depressive symptoms four years later, while involvement in political or community groups had the opposite effect, slightly increasing reported depression levels.

The researchers concluded that while social participation clearly affects mood, the type of activity matters, with community and faith-based groups often providing stronger emotional support than other forms of engagement.

Together with the new Newcastle findings, the research suggests that social connection, whether through bingo, volunteering or even church coffee mornings, may be one of the simplest and most powerful ways to stay both physically and mentally healthy in later life.

The research was funded by the Vivensa Foundation, the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

So, if you’ve been putting off that bingo night or volunteer shift, science just gave you another reason to say yes. Your next win might not be cash, it could be a longer, healthier life.

Fact-Check and Sources

All data verified via:
•    American Journal of Epidemiology: “Social Engagement and Frailty Among Older Adults” (2024)
•    Newcastle University press release, 2024
•    British Heart Foundation: bhf.org.uk/news
•    NHS Frailty Overview: nhs.uk/conditions/frailty
•    National Institute for Health & Care Research funding disclosure: nihr.ac.uk