It’s now been a whole year since we suspended our tea parties. Making the decision to put them on hold was incredibly hard as we anticipated the pandemic being especially tough on the over-75s.

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This is borne out by the research: ONS figures published last July revealed that those most likely to experience ‘lockdown loneliness’ included the over-70s.

We know the monthly tea parties have been sorely missed. Yet we’re delighted the bonds of friendship formed through the social groups has meant that, for the last 12 months, our guests who have wanted support have been able to receive regular phone calls from Re-engage volunteers.

To be part of a caring community at a time like this really has been a lifeline for many.In response to the crisis, we also launched call companions so we could reach more older people feeling lonely or isolated in the lockdown.

We’re over the moon that, since May, 1,650 older people have been matched to our volunteer call companions.

We’re currently trialling our first online groups – sociable exercise groups, funded by the Welsh Government, which are giving people there great opportunities to enjoy stretching their limbs and meeting others at the same time.

Our online groups will be complemented by in-person activity groups as soon as it’s safe to get together.

So, despite the inevitable challenges, heartache, and sorrow the year has brought, we have seen some incredibly positive things too.

Working alongside our dedicated volunteers, we enter the second year of this pandemic determined to become an even greater force to tackle loneliness and isolation in the lives of older people.