A FAB-Befriending journey

Lynne has always lived in Bristol and has family living in the area still. As a young woman she had a “dream job” and worked at the Cadbury factories in Keynsham alongside her dad, later on she had a range of administrator style roles. In recent years though Lynne has struggled with depression and anxiety.

Lynne initially contacted the Age UK Bristol helpline to offer her services as a befriender, having always had an interest in giving back to charity, but on reflection she decided that she wasn’t ready yet as she still had her own health concerns to work through. Lynne was matched with Catherine and they have enjoyed a weekly phone call ever since.

Lynne said, “There are a lot of lonely people in this area, a phone call can be a lifeline... If you’re having a bad day and you get a phone call it helps take things away from you.” Since first speaking over the phone Lynne and Catherine have begun meeting in town for a coffee together. Speaking to Catherine has helped Lynne to build up the confidence to try out new things and she has also joined the weekly Friends Ageing Better (FAB) café meetup at the Withywood Centre, as well as joined her local church and started volunteering at the British Heart Foundation charity shop.

"I go out and do something every day now," Lynne said. She uses the local community transport bus and said that even the driver has noticed a change in her over the last year.

Lynne enjoys the FAB cafes and has made new friends since joining. “Everyone is very friendly, laughing and joking, the worst part is all of us trying to fit around the table! I look forward to catching up every week… I like it when people come to the group who do talks.” The Withywood FAB Cafe has hosted a number of guest speakers including PCSOs and the local fire service. Lynne has also gotten involved in the talks, prompting guests and thinking up new ways the cafe could support local people, suggesting seated exercise sessions and first aid talks.

“I would say my life is 100 times better than what it was beginning of the year. Now I'm more light, I want to go out and do things. I'm more assertive too I think, I'm not afraid to say no. I didn't initially realise what a change Age UK Bristol would have for me.“