Sally's story

Sally, a former social worker, normally volunteers on our cookery programme but, since the Covid crisis and lockdown, she has been phone befriending and shopping for those who cannot leave their homes.

'One woman I speak to twice a week just talks to me for an hour – without pausing! She definitely feels so much better at the end of it and I am glad I can do this for her.

'An elderly couple I shop for are anxious about not being close to their families and don't have the technology to connect with them on FaceBook or Zoom.

'They feel very locked away and it’s reassuring for them that there’s someone on the outside helping them.

'A lot of people I help and speak to worry about what’s going to happen long term – it’s the uncertainty that makes them anxious and they worry about continuing to rely on others.

'I enjoy doing this – it’s a good reason to get out of the house. I feel like a tiny cog in a big wheel but I like to feel that I'm doing something to keep this all going.'