Calderdale Lower Valley blog

Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees Newsletter April 2019

Posted on Apr 10, 2019 Updated on Nov 4, 2021

Volunteering makes a world of difference

Nia started volunteering as a befriender in 2018. “I started to volunteer as I work shifts and had some spare time and being there for someone who may be lonely and in need of someone to talk to seemed like a good option. I work with infants and children so volunteering with the elderly was a good contrast”. 

“Hopefully I’m there to provide some additional support when they feel alone.  Older people may have little family around, or  suffering with illness or may have lost a beloved lifelong partner which must be very challenging and difficult, so being able to help at all seemed just the right thing to do.” said Nia.

She was introduced to Ann and they hit it off from their first meeting, sharing interests and values including volunteering!

Ann is in her 80’s and is now housebound, not strong enough to go out without support.
She was – and still is – a free, caring and creative spirit who cares about other people and the environment. She has volunteered in UK and abroad and has been vegan all her adult life.

She lives in a lovely cottage which she shared with her husband who has sadly passed away. But his death, after 59 years of marriage, was devastating and she still misses him deeply.

She was visited by Age UK C&K to see if we could help her situation and after refusing a befriender at first, changed her mind “And I’m so glad I did” she said. She and Nia have lots in common – they both love gardening and animals – dogs in particular – and obviously volunteering! “She has changed my life” says Ann “I really look forward to her visits and we are so well matched it really does make a world of difference”.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer befriender, call 01422 252 040 or 01484 535994.

You can download the full newsletter here.