Befriending Week: Building Bonds

Meet Anjuli:

Anjuli is a vibrant and creative individual living in East London. She has no prior connections to the Hammersmith area but became involved with Age UK Hammersmith & Fulham when she held a knitting class at the centre. Anjuli's vast array of hobbies includes running, knitting, yoga, playing the drums, and even cold water plunging. She's a true creative spirit, finding joy in making things from scratch, mainly clothes and granola. Anjuli's passion for sharing her creativity with others led her to volunteer.

What Inspired Anjuli to Begin Volunteering?

Anjuli's journey into volunteering was inspired by her friend Emily, who encouraged her to hold a knitting group at Age UK Hammersmith & Fulham. Witnessing the fantastic results, with people who had never knitted before creating jumpers from scratch, Anjuli realized the rewarding nature of giving back. This experience ignited a spark, and she decided that volunteering should become a regular part of her weekly routine.

Anjuli started the knitting group at Age UK Hammersmith & Fulham in August 2022 and ran it for around ten months. Her role as a befriender began a couple of months ago, bringing a new dimension to her volunteer work.

Volunteering provides Anjuli with a profound sense of community and a reminder that humans have an innate desire to be there for one another. The privilege of being let into someone's life and the opportunity to offer help is what she finds most rewarding. Her favourite part is when her befriending client, Jane, sounds genuinely happy to hear from her during their calls. It warms her heart.

Memorable Moments:

Anjuli and Jane recently visited Westfield together, and Anjuli helped Jane pick out a skirt at Marks & Spencer. Jane had initially expressed feeling low, but after their outing, she shared that she needed Anjuli that day. Such moments reaffirm the importance of small acts of kindness and the impact they can have.

Jane's Experience:

Jane, the recipient of Anjuli's befriending support, expressed that she had longed for someone to talk to for quite a while. She shared, "I needed someone to talk to, and I'm over the moon to have Anjuli around. The little chats and meet-ups we have made such a difference to my week. My life has improved since meeting her."

Anjuli can see the difference she's making in Jane's life, not just as a befriender but as a new friend. Their friendship has brought more joy and support into Jane's life.

Words of Encouragement:

To anyone considering volunteering or using the befriending service, Anjuli offers these words: "Just go for it. Think about how a small act of kindness or a compliment from a stranger can really lift your mood when you're feeling low. As a befriender, you have a chance to be that for someone else. To lift them when they're low or simply be a friend who can offer time to listen to what that person is going through. Your phone call or visit might be the only contact that they have that day. I think it's important to never underestimate how powerful just being there can be."