It’s time to rise and shine for Re-engage as we once again feature in a Christmas TV appeal to raise our profile and lead to an influx of new volunteers.

Good Morning Britain’s 1 Million Minutes campaign will run throughout December right up to New Year’s Eve, encouraging members of the public to volunteer for one of seven charities - including Re-engage - and help end loneliness.

This is the 10th anniversary of the ITV initiative which has accumulated over 670 million minutes of volunteering – and we’ve been with them nearly every step of the way. Last year the early morning programme featured Re-engage guest Gladys Banks whose 108th birthday fell on Christmas Day and is a regular tea party guest in Sevenoaks.

Gladys, who likes to sing along to Abba, was given VIP treatment when she was interviewed by presenter Susannah Reid and met stage stars, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. This year the programme will feature Call Companion volunteer, Rohan and Rosemary, 83, who he calls every week and describes as being ‘like a favourite grandmother.’

Rohan, 47, also volunteers for the British Heart Foundation and the Bookmark Reading charity. He said: “If you can be kind there is always a reward for you.” Rosemary, who was widowed in 2015 after being married for 40 years, said: “It’s such a delight talking to Rohan. He’s had a big impact on my life.”

This year, those who pledge to donate 60 minutes of volunteering a week for a year will be encouraged to join Re-engage as a Call Companion, like Rohan; a volunteer driver to take guests to and from tea parties or activity groups, or a research volunteer, helping evaluate our work and its impact on reducing loneliness.