Personal stories

'I can see the possibilities now!'

Shital had been thinking about buying a laptop for ages but never felt confident about choosing one to buy or what to do with it once he had it. Then he discovered our Laptop Loan scheme...
Meet Richard and Elaine

Richard has Parkinson's and attends our day opportunities every week. He has struck up a lovely friendship with our day opportunities volunteer Elaine and here they interview each other about their lives and their work.
'I feel like I've known him for 20 years!'

One Barnet resident whose life has been transformed by the weekly visits from befriender Anthony
'I was shaking on my first day'

After caring for her husband for 20 years, Joka started as a volunteer and now works for Age UK Barnet as a kitchen assistant

'I've made an online shopping order for the first time!'

June was a regular in our cookery and craft sessions, then during lockdown we paired her with volunteer Emily who gave her online computer support, helping June carry out essential everyday tasks on her computer
Celebrating diversity

How dementia adviser Jaihanne was able to use her own cultural knowledge and language to help a client and his son feel supported
'My sporting memories'

Former sports journalist and volunteer Ed talks about the online Sporting Memories group he hosts for Age UK Barnet
'I'm not one to give in'

After having a fall in her bathroom, a normally active 89 year old Mavis lost confidence in going out but our Finding your feet service got her back on track.

'It's given me more confidence and can lower blood pressure'

Katie feels so much more positive since starting the gentle exercise class at the Stonegrove Community Centre
'We talk about art and Spain - my weekly visits from Alice are like a lifeline'

Ana had to move into a care home in her 50s but her world has opened up since being befriended by local artist Alice
'We lift each other's spirits - despite the 66 year age gap'

A shared sense of humour and Joan's positive outlook on life means befriender Natalie genuinely looks forward to visiting Joan for tea and a chat
'Fred hadn't eaten at home since his wife died. Then he took my cookery class.'

Fred (not his real name) was struggling to move on after the death of his wife. Cookery volunteer Nancy talked to The Guardian newspaper about how her men's cookery classes helped him to open up and become his normal, chatty self again

'These sessions have really helped my business'

David – a retired headmaster who still works part time - says the computer support classes with students at the Mount school have helped him in his consultancy business.
'It's a privilege to meet so many wonderful people'

Susan has met some inspirational people as a short term befriending volunteer
'A daughter couldn't be better to me'

Mobility issues left Pat nearly housebound for two years - until she found Age UK Barnet and was matched with befriender Lindsay
'If it wasn't for this I'd be useless at home'

Frank's wife Marion did all the cooking before she developed Alzheimer's.Now he's her carer, he uses the skills he's picked up in cookery classes every day.

'We've moved from befriending to friends'

Doreen is practically housebound but her weekly visits from Georgina keep her conntected to the world
'I've never seen him enjoy himself so much!'

Robert's daughter Lucy on how encouraging her dad to attend the men's beginners cookery course helped him grow in confidence and has opened up a new world to him
'The Eagles concert was the highlight of my year!'

David has had a tough life, but a shared love of music has bonded him with fellow guitarist and befriender Arthur
'I wasn't sure I was sufficiently flexible to cope'

It's a huge adjustment from everyday life - our volunteer Linda tells us how she and her husband Keith are dealing with life under lockdown.