Rosemary (left) and Rohan (right) are 'call companions' This December, we’re championing kindness in all its forms through HuffPost UK’s Kindness Advent Calendar. Check back daily (until 24 December) for new stories focusing on how individuals and communities are going above and beyond to help others in their times of need. Rosemary Hope has been living alone since her husband Trevor sadly died in 2015. “My mobility is restricted and after Trevor died I did become a little isolated,” the 83-year-old said. But in the past year or so, something shifted. Rosemary started receiving calls from a ‘call companion’ called Rohan Young. Call companions is a free service from the charity Re-engage where older people who are lonely, isolated or in need of companionship can be partnered up with a volunteer and receive a friendly phone call every week or two. “I’ve been getting the calls from Rohan for just over a year now and they are very special to me,” said Rosemary, adding the regular chats have helped her regain confidence. “It’s such a delight talking to him. I really look forward to Friday when we speak.” When Rohan, 47, isn’t volunteering for Re-engage, he’s working as a neurodiversity coach. The pair have been speaking for over a year but had never met until Good Morning Britain brought them together on live TV in early December to promote the 1 Million Minutes campaign to reduce loneliness. Nearly a million older people in the UK are often lonely, according to Age UK. When loneliness is considered chronic, it can begin to negatively impact health, and has been linked to high blood pressure, reduced immunity, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, frailty, and poor mental health. Rohan started volunteering for Re-engage in the autumn of 2024 when he was getting over long Covid and had some time on his hands. “I was also caring for an aunt and had worked with young people before. I thought it would be nice to support older people. I looked around, found Re-engage and thought, ‘why not’,” he explained. “It’s important to me because I just think if you can be kind there is always a reward for you. I also learn a lot from the older people I call because they are such interesting characters and I feel I am helping reduce loneliness. “There is no pressure. I feel very comfortable and we talk about anything and everything, including politics. I just love it.” Rohan calls Rosemary, as well as Andrew and Margaret. “Rosemary was the first one I was partnered with and she is like a favourite grandmother,” said Rohan. “I call each of them on Friday – that’s my Re-engage day.” The charity, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, also runs activity groups and monthly tea parties across the country – all for free. Rosemary says since receiving her weekly phone call, she’s found the confidence to join a Re-engage tea party group which meets once a month at a volunteer’s home. They meet for sandwiches, cake and a chat. “It’s such a wonderful charity,” she said, “and the volunteers are absolutely brilliant.” To sign up to become a call companion, visit reengage.org.uk . Got a kindness story to share? Please email uklife@huffpost.com with more information. Related... 'There Are So Many Needing Help': Unsung Hero Has Fostered Over 500 Cats 10 'Small' Moments Of Kindness That Can Turn Someone's Day Around 'Our Simple Call For Toys Started An Unexpected Wave Of Kindness'