Kim's mother spent many happy years attending a Re-engage tea party group. After she passed away, Kim wanted to recognise the pleasure the groups had given her mum by making a donation to Re-engage in her memory.

"The volunteers at the tea parties were so good to mum and so good with her. They made it so special for her and accommodated her so well – it gave me a break and her something to do. She so enjoyed the tea parties. She retained the happiness. I made a donation to Re-engage in Mum's memory so that others in her position could have that same sense of belonging and happiness."

Knowing how much Re-engage had helped her mum, Kim also wanted to give back and make a difference to those feeling isolated. She was one of the first people to become a call companion when we launched our telephone befriending service in 2020 and she’s been speaking with Betty ever since. They talk regularly on the phone and Kim finds the connection extremely rewarding.

"I saw my mum every day – all the build up to her passing didn’t make it any easier. I missed not having someone of the older generation to talk to. It’s rewarding to be able to reminisce about things. It’s like talking to my mum. You can just chat and be comfortable."

If, like Kim, you’d like a special way of honouring the memory of someone close to you, make a donation today and give the gift of friendship to a lonely older person.