Love Kingston is changing the way it works in order to support small organisations working to reduce isolation – and says its new system will be simpler.

Organisers also hope to attract larger donations by working with other philanthropic groups.

In the past three years, the charity appeal has used half its donations to back five borough projects on the theme of “pathways out of poverty” – these were Kingston Foodbank, Kingston Savers, Oxygen, Hestia and Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness.

But, to attract larger-scale donations in the future, organisers will now set up a grants fund to funnel money to local projects countering isolation, at the same time as boosting the Kingston Legacy Fund.

Fund director Elaine Miller said: “My vision is to get a million-pound donor to match donations that come in.

Surrey Comet: Get on board for Kingston’s Valentine’s Day charity appeal

“Most of London’s boroughs have local grant-making trusts that can support local projects. Kingston and Bromley are the only two London boroughs that don’t have any.

“We need to address this anomaly and grow the Kingston Legacy Fund so that it can support the ever changing needs and growing population of our borough.”

A fifth of donations will now go towards grants, while 70 per cent will be channelled into the legacy fund and 10 per cent to the London Community Fund, to attract donors.

Recent donations have included a £1,000 cheque from Barclays bank in Kingston.

Mrs Miller added: “Staff and customers at Barclays show exceptional community spirit and we’re thrilled to have their continued support.”

Isolation and loneliness is a recognised issue at the highest level of government.

Last year, then-care minister Norman Lamb slammed Britain’s “neglectful” society.

Last week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appointed the first ever shadow minister for mental health.

Surbiton’s Alfriston Day Centre runs an outreach programme that sends volunteers to the homes of people whose mobility problems mean they cannot get out and about as they once did.

Love Kingston has not yet announced its chosen charitable organisations for its next batch of fundraising,