The importance of tackling loneliness and social isolation to improve older people’s well-being and quality of life is increasingly recognised. Health promotion activities have long been considered important in providing support to develop social contacts but there is lack of evidence as to the effectiveness of interventions. The value of one-to-one interventions is unclear. Only one of the 11 studies reviewed was deemed to be useful and then the long-term effect was not maintained. Older people emphasise the need for reciprocity in social support so the visitor should be of similar age with common interests and a shared cultural and social background.