From a simple conversation to a special day with the donkeys

A conversation between 88-year-old Betty Dixon and her volunteer befriender Sharon led to a very special visit to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary – and a lovely example of where volunteering and friendship can lead.

Betty is supported through our Gift of Friendship project at Age UK Isle of Wight, where older Islanders are matched with volunteers for regular companionship, conversation and the chance to spend time doing the things they enjoy.

Her volunteer befriender, Sharon Newnham, regularly spends time with Betty, whether that is getting out and about together or simply sitting down for a catch-up.

Over time, Sharon has got to know Betty and the things that are important to her, including one particular interest that kept coming up in conversation.

Betty absolutely loves donkeys.

Turning a conversation into something special

After hearing Betty talk about her love of donkeys, Sharon remembered the conversation and got in touch with our team to see whether there might be something we could arrange for her.

With Sharon we contacted the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, told them a little about Betty and asked whether there was an opportunity for her to spend some time with the animals she loves so much.

The Sanctuary team were delighted to help and kindly arranged a special experience for Betty.

Alongside Sharon and members of the Age UK Isle of Wight team, Betty visited the Sanctuary and was introduced to three of its residents – Thomas, Major and Frankie.

Betty was able to get up close to the donkeys, stroke them, spend time with them and hear more about each of them from the Sanctuary team.

And judging by the smile on her face throughout the visit, the experience certainly lived up to expectations.

More than a day out

As lovely as Betty's visit was, the story behind it is just as important.

The whole experience began with a normal conversation between Betty and Sharon.

Betty talked about something that meant a lot to her. Sharon listened, remembered it and, because they had taken the time to build that relationship, a simple conversation eventually led to a memorable experience.

That is a big part of what our Gift of Friendship project is all about.

Every friendship is different. For one person, having a befriender might mean a regular cup of tea and someone to talk to. For another, it could mean getting out for a coffee, visiting somewhere together, rediscovering an interest or simply having regular company to look forward to.

What matters is having someone who has the time to listen, talk and get to know you.

Maria Bunce, Chief Officer at Age UK Isle of Wight, said:

“Betty and Sharon’s story is such a lovely example of what volunteering can lead to."

“It all started with a normal conversation. Betty mentioned something she loved, Sharon listened and remembered it, and because they had built that relationship, we were able to turn it into an experience that meant a great deal to Betty."

“That is what makes befriending so valuable. It isn’t about doing anything extraordinary every week. It is about giving somebody your time, having a conversation and building a genuine friendship."

“Our volunteers make a real difference to older Islanders, but volunteering can also be incredibly rewarding for the volunteers themselves. You meet people you might never otherwise have met, hear their stories, share experiences and build real connections.”

Sharon added: “Seeing how much Betty enjoyed meeting the donkeys made the whole day really special. It was lovely knowing that something she had mentioned during one of our conversations had led to this.”

Could you give the Gift of Friendship?

Across the Island, our volunteers give their time to help older people stay connected, enjoy companionship and continue doing the things that matter to them.

You don't need specialist experience to become a befriender, and volunteering doesn't have to involve organising big days out.

Sometimes making a difference can be as simple as turning up, having a chat and taking the time to get to know someone.

And volunteering can be rewarding for both people involved, giving volunteers the opportunity to meet someone new, hear their stories, share interests and build a genuine friendship of their own.

If you could give some of your time to an older Islander, we'd love to hear from you. Click to find out more here

Watch Betty's day

We captured Betty's experience at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary on video, including Betty and Sharon talking about the day and plenty of time spent with Thomas, Major and Frankie.

You can watch the full video on the Age UK Isle of Wight Facebook page.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary for welcoming Betty, Sharon and our team and for taking the time to make the experience so special.

Age UK Isle of Wight is an independent local charity, and support from our Island community enables us to continue projects such as Gift of Friendship and our wider work supporting older Islanders.

You can help by volunteering, fundraising or making a donation directly to Age UK Isle of Wight.