"I get pleasure knowing I have made a difference!" Ray
Published on 05 September 2022 10:51 AM
Our Befriending and Good Neighbour scheme volunteers tell us how they find volunteering for us and what they enjoy most.
In February 2022, I was asked "Can we run an advert for Face to Face volunteers on our website?". I was too busy at that stage to do it, so fobbed the staff off by asking for more information. I suggested asking for some testimonials from their current volunteers. They did so, the responses flooded in and here are some of the responses! Jackie James, Information and Data Co-ordinator
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Anon - Befriending/GNS Volunteer
In the twenty years I have been a befriending volunteer with Age UK in Hillingdon, I have done a variety of roles from home visiting, accompanying people to hospital out-patient clinics, reading poetry and going on walks with people. Before and during any assignment I've always had helpful discussions and support from the Befriending Team which makes all the difference.
When befriending, I have usually stayed with my service user for around 2 years and become friends. One lady was completely bed-ridden and withdrawn but with Etch-a-Sketch homemade quizzes, singing and reminiscing, her mood improved a lot. Twice when no relatives were available, I have visited long-term service users in hospital who were near the end of their lives and felt I helped a little.
The Befriending Team likes to encourage service users to go out and join others if possible and two recent successes for me have been one gentleman who joined a sociable Art Group and another who joined a friendly lunch club. He is now much happier and less anxious than he had been and doesn't need my phone calls though we still speak on a friendly basis.
I would recommend volunteering as a Befriender as a very satisfying and interesting experience, always with the friendly back-up of the Befriending Team.
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Sheelagh - Good Neighbour Volunteer
I have been an Age UK volunteer for about 5 years and I’ve always found it to be a hugely rewarding experience. The training and support provided by my Age UK team has been great.
Whilst I was working full time I found that being involved with the Good Neighbour Service was ideal. I could pick and choose one off tasks according to what I could fit in around my work schedule. I particularly enjoyed taking service users on shopping trips, i.e. to buy new shoes or to the garden centre.
During the pandemic many service users needed assistance with walks outside their home as many people lost their confidence due to the extended lockdowns. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to help people with this. Like many employers my employer Nationwide Building Society encourages all staff to take 2 paid ‘citizenship days’ to get involved in local volunteering and I have used this time to volunteer with Age UK.
More about the Good Neighbour Scheme
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Frankie - Good Neighbour Scheme
I have volunteered for Age UK for several years, first of all for their Home Not Hospital programme, which involved conducting basic exercises with service users in their homes and more recently doing telephone befriending and short walks with service users.
I have found the experience really interesting and fulfilling. Age UK always provides clear guidelines, training and offers ongoing support including the opportunity to talk about my experiences and any queries or issues that I may have. There is a variety of different volunteering roles and I would say that it's a really worthy organisation in which to offer your time
NB. The Home Not Hospital is no longer a service Age UK HHB provide.
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Ray - Befriending Volunteer
I volunteer for Age UK because when I think of all the older people out there who may not have any friends or family to talk to, I feel it must be so lonely.
So just to get a call or maybe a visit from a befriending volunteer can brighten up their day and let them know they can get help if needed.
I get pleasure from knowing I have made a difference and maybe even a new friend!
Dawn, Head of Wellbeing Services
Our Volunteers play a huge part in enabling us to deliver the services we do. So, to our existing volunteers, Thank you! To anyone thinking of joining us as a Volunteer, I would urge you to take the step and sign up, come and join us on this journey! Help us to create “A world where everyone can love later life”