Marion, 79, was delighted to be matched with a Rainbow Call Companion during the Christmas build up. 

She said: “It’s such a difficult time because there is so much commercialisation these days that it makes you feel even more isolated if you live alone.” 

“But the calls with Claire helped tremendously, particularly as they came on a Monday morning. It was so nice to have them to look forward to after the weekend, which can often drag. I live with my sheepdog, Teddy, who is 16-years-old and blind and though I have arthritis we manage to get to the local café where the people are so nice.” 

Marion, who lives in Cardigan, Wales, also suffers from the chronic fatigue syndrome ME. She added: “No one visits. My family live a long way away and I get so lonely. To hear a friendly voice on the phone is wonderful. It’s a life support for me. It has made a huge difference. The conversations are easy and it’s all non-judgmental. I really would encourage older people to take advantage of the service because it’s marvellous.”