Recruitment Manager Naomi has loved talking to older people since she was at school, even completing an A level photography project based on care home residents. Now, aged 32, she devotes time talking to Pamela, 80, who lives alone in Conwy, North Wales.

“I was very close to my step-nan who was wonderful,” she said. “And I lived in a village where there were quite a few older people who always had interesting stories to tell. That’s why I decided on getting portraits in a residential home. You imagine the older people just sitting around being sad and lonely. But in fact they all had a great sense of humour and loved telling me things about their lives.

“Talking to Pamela is the same. She talks about anything and everything and can be very entertaining. She likes to reminisce and likes to know how I am. If I haven’t been well she wants to know what’s going on, which is very sweet.

“I have a high pressure job and spend lots of time on the phone, so to have a less intense conversation with Pamela is nice. I’d like the calls to continue for as long as possible. It’s good to know what’s going on in other people’s lives.”

Pamela has been widowed twice and has four children and three grandchildren, but she often feels lonely.

“I can get out sometimes and I do have family but I don’t get many visitors,” she said. “Days often go by very slowly which is why I look forward to the calls from Naomi. We usually talk for about an hour and we have become good friends, in fact she’s almost like a daughter.

“She’s easy to talk to, she’s interested but not nosey. It’s good to have a sort of release, someone you feel comfortable with and can chat in a relaxed way.”