Rohan Young is a very busy volunteer with not one, but three older people he regularly calls. “I have the time, and it’s so rewarding so why wouldn’t I do it?” said Rohan, 47. “I love talking to them and I learn so much. It’s definitely not stressful. I just enjoy it so much.”

Manchester-based Rohan, a self-employed neurodiversity coach, is Call Companion to Rosemary in Gloucester, Margaret in Cambridgeshire, and Paul in London.

He started calling Rosemary in autumn 2024, then decided he would also like to speak to someone as part of our Christmas Call Companion initiative, and was matched with Margaret, and more recently, he was connected with Paul as a Rainbow Call Companion.

“Rosemary is like a favourite grandmother,” he said. “We talk about anything and everything. It really is great. Margaret was very active but became a little isolated after being widowed and lost her self-confidence. But now she has started going out again. I just encourage her to do what she wants, even if it’s just sitting in the garden. I originally planned to call Margaret as a temporary arrangement over Christmas but we get on so well I decided to continue. Paul is a special person and is very appreciative of the calls.”

As well as supporting Re-engage, Rohan is also a volunteer for the British Heart Foundation, the Bookmark Reading charity, and helps people with HIV. In his words, '“If you can be kind there is always a reward for you.”'

Rosemary has been alone since her husband of more than 40 years, Trevor, died in 2015. Since starting the calls with Rohan, she has also joined a Re-engage tea party group in Gloucester. “It’s such a delight talking to him,” Rosemary said. “I’m not completely alone because I have visits, but some days do feel awfully long, so the calls really help. My mobility is restricted so it can be difficult going out, but the great thing about the tea parties is that someone gives you a lift.

“Speaking to Rohan and meeting new people has had a big impact on my life. After my husband died I became a little isolated but now I look forward to going out. Re-engage is such a wonderful organisation and it has made a huge difference to my life.”