AN elderly Colchester woman who says it isn't "very nice when you're on your own" no longer feels quite as lonely thanks to her new phone buddy. 

Rosemary, 85, has been struggling with Parkinson's for three years and finds the weekends long and isolating. 

“I’m on my own from Friday evening until Monday morning and I don’t like it,” she said. 

“I have helpers on weekdays so time doesn’t seem to drag so much.

"I can talk to someone and occasionally I manage to get out for a short walk, with assistance. But the weekends just aren’t very nice when you’re on your own.” 

Gazette: Party - A Re-engage volunteer helping out at a tea partyParty - A Re-engage volunteer helping out at a tea party (Image: Re-engage)

However, since being paired up with a phone buddy with the non-profit organisation Re-engage, she has been much happier.

The grandmother-of-two, who lost her husband William in 2022, has been partnered with call companion, Bernadette, who rings on Sunday afternoons.

Rosemary said: “I can deal with the practical things but I need support and a comforting voice, which is what I get from the phone calls.

"It really is a good service and transforms my weekends. 

“It’s good to know that someone will give up their time to make contact with you. That’s really what I want – the contact.” 

There are currently more than 2,300 older people who receive regular calls from Re-engage volunteers to make sure they have someone to talk to. 

Gazette: Hopeful - Ed NashHopeful - Ed Nash (Image: Re-engage)

Ed Nash, engagement team manager at Re-engage, said: “Our call companions provide an absolutely vital service which means many older people are not left in isolation, longing for some form of human contact.

“We know it’s a lifeline for them which they really rely on and which we believe would be particularly welcome in Tendring where nearly one in six are aged 75 or more.

"Colchester also has many older people living on their own and Frinton has a fast-growing, ageing population.

“Our call companion volunteers do a brilliant job and they get great satisfaction from devoting just a small amount of time to helping someone who may be feeling the pain of loneliness.

“There are lots of older people in Essex who would benefit from a regular, friendly call and we hope they will come forward so we can help them.”

As well as a call companion service Re-engage volunteers also organise free monthly tea parties in Colchester.

To find out more and to get involved call 0800 716543 or go to reengage.org.uk.