'I feel blessed she calls me her friend'

Volunteer dementia befriender Sally and the woman she visits have developed a special bond after a year of weekly visits.

‘Initially she wasn’t really keen on the idea, but after a few weeks she told me she looked forward to my visits. Now I feel blessed that she calls me her friend.

'She’s a lovely lady who has lived an incredible life, and hearing her talk about it is fascinating. She is a similar age to what my grandmother would be if she was still alive, and in some way I feel as though I am honouring my grandparents by supporting her.

'I think I look forward to our visits as much as she does, and seeing her face light up when she talks about her childhood and early adulthood is wonderful. 

'Occasionally something happens which reveals how distressing it is for her to be so aware of her diminished memory, for example this week she had forgotten the plumber was coming, and she told me she was grateful I was there.

'In those moments it’s so apparent how important this volunteer role really is.’