Volunteer stories
Our volunteers share their experience of volunteering with Age UK Barnet, helping us to improve the wellbeing of older people in the borough
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Claire's story
Volunteer Claire started leading our Oakhill Park walk after the second lockdown in 2020
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Marilyn's story
Marilyn is a walking volunteer and also volunteers on our reception at the Ann Owens Centre in East Finchley
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Lucy's story
Trainee doctor Lucy has had many volunteering roles at Age UK Barnet and is currently volunteering as a dementia befriender
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Ramisa's story
Ramisa volunteered when she was 15 because it was good for her CV. Now she does it because she enjoys it!
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Jean's Story
Visiting someone with a dementia diagnosis is different from more regular befriending, says dementia befriender Jean, but equally, if not more, rewarding
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Sally's story
Volunteer dementia befriender Sally and the woman she visits have developed a special bond after a year of weekly visits
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Janet's story
Janet has been a volunteer walking leader for the Montrose/ Silkstream walking group for nearly a year and looks forward to it every week!
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Shelly's story
Shelly volunteers in our day opportunities sessions, helping to run activities for people living with mild to moderate dementia.
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Diana's story
Diana is housebound and facilitating our online poetry reading group is a welcome escape and the highlight of her month.
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Corinna's story
Shopping volunteer Corinna found the perfect volunteer role, combining her love of shopping and her desire to help those people who couldn't leave their homes.
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Sarah's story
Sarah couldn't help her own grandparents, who live in Wales, so she became a shopping volunteer to help someone else's grandparents
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Ross's story
Age UK Barnet appealed to shoppoing volunteer Ross because getting older is something that happens to all of us and he believes we all deserve something to look foward to
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Margaret's story
Volunteer receptionist Margaret became a phone befriender during the Covid-19 crisis, and is a lifeline to a mother and daughter with mental health issues
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Janet, Georgia and Claudia's story
Mother and daughter team Janet, Georgia and Claudia are all shopping volunteers for vulnerable clients who are unable to leave their homes during lockdown.
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Shenalee's story
The man Shenalee was befriending sadly died of Covid-19 but her continued support was a huge comfort to his family and sons who live abroad
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Charlotte's story
After being furloughed, Charlotte decided to volunteer for us as a shopping volunteer - and she very quickly bonded with one of her clients
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Rikhil's story
Rikhil came to us to reach out and help older people who, like his grandparents, were self-isolating and were struggling without their usual routines and social interactions.
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Ruth's story
Ruth decided to befriend with us after a period of depression and loneliness and knows how important it can be simply to listen to someone
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Maggie, Digital Inclusion Volunteer
Maggie started as a voluteer in digital inclusion and now also volunteers as a receptionist.
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Sami's story
Sami started volunteering for us after she had to cut short her travels due to covid-19 - and friendship has blossomed between her and the lovely woman she befriends
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Sally, Cookery Volunteer
Sally used to run cookery classes for us but during the coronavirus crisis has been phone befriending and shopping for older people who cannot leave their homes
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Gentiana's story
Gentiana is an admin support volunteer for our later life planning team and dementia advisers
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Age UK Barnet on BBC's Radio 1's 1MillionHours campaign
Volunteer befriender Karina and her befriendee Louise share their experiences