Earlier this month, we launched Make It a Call, our new campaign with Mental Health UK, calling on the nation to swap texts for real conversations this Mental Health Awareness Week. If you missed it, give that a read first. But there's plenty more to share.

Our research shows that despite people wanting to connect, many of us are increasingly avoiding phone calls. Around 33% of Brits are making fewer calls than they did 10 years ago, with 51% feeling anxious about making one and 55% worried they'd be interrupting someone's day.

It's easy to see how we've got here. Messaging apps, voice notes, and social media make staying in touch quick and effortless. But this growing phone call anxiousness can fuel feelings of isolation and lead to less meaningful interaction with the people we care about most.

Hearing someone's voice gives you tone, emotion, and the kind of laughter that's impossible to fake over text. And there's science behind it: a simple phone call is proven to lower stress, boost mood, and build stronger connections for both people on the line.

When you're on a call, you're present. No drafting a reply, no getting distracted by notifications. Just a proper conversation. That kind of undivided attention makes people feel heard in a way a message rarely can.

To bring Make It a Call to life, we teamed up with relationship expert and We Need to Talk podcast host Paul C. Brunson.

As part of the campaign, Paul ran a Casting Calls initiative. We gave 5 people airtime on We Need to Talk to make a direct, on-camera appeal to a friend, family member, or loved one who dodged their calls but loved to text.

Each of the 5 participants joined the show to share their story and show just how much a simple call could mean.
Your voice is more powerful than you think. Paul was there to prove it.

If picking up the phone feels like a bigger ask than it should, start small:

• Send a text first to agree a time

• Keep it short, even five minutes counts

• Pick someone you feel comfortable with

• Keep it casual

Taking part is simple:

1. Snap a selfie making the Make It a Call hand sign

2. Share it to your Instagram Stories

3. Tag @idmobileuk

4. Add the hashtag #MakeItACall

You can also head to idmobile.co.uk/makeitacall for practical tips from Mental Health UK, tools to support your own wellbeing, and ways to donate to the charity.

Make It a Call is the start of a long-term partnership with Mental Health UK, one of the UK's leading mental health charities. iD Mobile has already made an initial donation and we're committed to ongoing fundraising to support their services across the country.

Whether that's making a call, joining the social challenge, or donating, every bit helps the work Mental Health UK does to support people when they need it most.

Ditching the texts for a real conversation is one of the simplest things you can do to strengthen a friendship, or just remind someone they're not alone.

So here's the challenge: who's the first person you're going to call today? Let us know in the comments below!