Verda has been a Call Companion to 91-year-old Eileen for nearly two years, and she feels it has changed her life.

“It’s made a difference to me because I know I am doing something good,” she said. “And I know the calls are important to Eileen.

“Loneliness is on the rise so we should do what we can to help older people. Eileen is a very strong person and still very independent, but in recent years her friends have become poorly or died and so that has increased her isolation. I can tell she really wants company so she looks forward to the calls – every Thursday at 11am.”

Verda, 64, who runs a hairdressing business in St Osyth, Essex, decided to become a Re-engage Call Companion after we featured on GMTV’s 1 Million Minutes Christmas appeal.

“I’ve wanted to volunteer for some time and this seemed a good opportunity,” she said. “It’s lovely speaking to Eileen. We have really bonded. We have a half hour chat when she doesn’t stop talking - about her hair, gardening, the price of things, just about everything.

“Her husband died some years ago and she’s at a stage in life where she can’t go out and make new friends, so I suppose I’m filling that gap. She’s always waiting for my call and will call me if I’ve missed our time slot for whatever reason.

“I understand how loneliness can affect older people. One of my customers recently cancelled an appointment because her son was coming to see her. She hadn’t seen him for some time so the visit was important to her.

“As long as Eileen gets something from our calls I will continue because I enjoy them so much.”

Since her husband died 34 years ago, Eileen has lived alone and has recently had treatment for cancer.

“At my age I haven’t got any friends left, and you don’t see many people” she said. “So, it’s very helpful to get the calls from Verda. She’s an extremely pleasant lady and we get along just fine.

“It’s extra special to know she is a volunteer and is doing this out of the goodness of her heart. And it’s lovely to know the calls will continue for as long as I want them. That’s marvellous, I’m really pleased about that.”