Call Companion volunteer Adam is convinced he gets more from his chats with 88-year-old Doris than she does. 

“She’s absolutely amazing – the grandmother I never had time with,” said 41-year-old Adam, who will soon be leaving the Household Cavalry after serving in the ceremonial regiment for 24 years. “She really has made my year, and the calls genuinely are the highlight of my week. If I’ve had a bad day, it really lifts me to speak to her.” 

Corporal of Horse Adam has often been on duty at Horse Guards, the official entrance to Buckingham Palace, and his troop led the state funeral procession for the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. 

He met the late queen on a couple of occasions when she asked about his family and social life which he said was ‘very warming.’ 

“Doris is helping me think through what I do when I leave the Army next year,” added Adam. “We talk about the possibility of going into the police or prison service. I really think she’s done more for me than I’ve done for her.” 

Doris, who lives in Bolton has Parkinson’s disease, and nine years ago she lost husband Vincent after 58 years of marriage. Then her adopted daughter Leslie and one of her grandsons died. She joined Re-engage three years ago. 

“It all happened within a few months,” she said. “It was an absolutely heartbreaking time. Now I’m on my own. I do manage to get out a couple of times a week but it’s the phone calls I look forward to. They are so important to me. We always have a laugh and discuss all kinds of things. 

“At first I was a little worried about the huge age difference but that doesn’t matter because we get on so well. He’s younger and keeps me going. He’s my connection with the outside world and when we’ve finished our calls I always feel a lot happier, a lot brighter.”