Ann has been a dedicated and versatile Re-engage volunteer for over 20 years and continues to look forward to finding out all about the older guests she meets.

Ann, 72, started volunteering with the Oxford Re-engage tea party, continued with the Chesham group when she moved home, and is now a driver for the monthly Cardiff Chair Yoga social gathering. Back in the early 2000s she spotted a poster in a local library appealing for volunteers to drive older people to gatherings on Sundays and thought it would fit in nicely with her other charitable work.

Ann explained: “Sundays are very difficult days if you’re on your own, and when I learned about the tea parties I thought it was such a simple but fantastic idea. What’s not to like about it?

“So, I joined up and have never regretted it. I’ve met some wonderful and interesting people who have helped me form a rich view of life. Volunteering is as good for me as it is for the guests who go to the tea parties. You get back what you give.”

For many years Ann drove guest Hazel to monthly social gatherings. When she died, aged 100, Hazel left her £5,000 in her will, which Ann then donated to Re-engage.

Ann said: “It was the right thing to do. It was Hazel’s way of saying thanks for all the support she had from me and the other volunteers, and I know she would be happy that her money is being used to help more lonely older people.

“She was an absolutely lovely lady, always dressed well and had a positive attitude to life. She just brightened your day. When you meet people like Hazel it’s easy to get very fond of them.

“The tea parties are so successful because you’re going to someone’s home and it’s nice and friendly and cosy. And it’s fascinating to hear from the older people, how they’ve coped with difficult times in their lives.”

Re-engage CEO Jenny Willott said: "It never ceases to amaze me just how generous our volunteers are. Ann received a gift from her friend Hazel, and her first thought was to put towards supporting older people living with loneliness. Ann embodies everything our volunteers are: kind, thoughtful, selfless and endlessly generous. Thank you Ann, for two decades of volunteering with Re-engage - and here's to many more!"