Sue Carey

What is your volunteer role/s with Age UK Wakefield District?

Hi, I’m a Befriender with Age UK Wakefield District, a role I love doing!

If someone asked you what you do in your role with us, what would you tell them, could you give us a brief description?

I befriend two people in my role, one as a Telephone Befriender and another as a Home Visit Befriender.  Both roles involve chatting and building a supportive friendly relationship with the people you befriend, giving them that weekly contact to look forward to, that’s not family and that provides companionship.

Often the elderly feel isolated and lonely and so this type of role gives them that weekly social contact to look forward to, someone to have a natter and a laugh with, we talk about anything and everything.  

How long have you been volunteering with us?

I started my first volunteering role during the early stagers of the Covid pandemic.  This has remained a Telephone Befriending role with a chatty lady.  I then took on a second role as a Home Visit Befriender about a year ago and I visit a lovely 90 year old gentleman.

We have some great conversations from holidays to hobbies to TV programmes and childhood memories as well as catching up on how our week’s have been.  We are never short of something to talk about and always have a laugh and a giggle. I enjoy talking to them as much as they seem to enjoy my calls and visits.

What made you want to volunteer with us?

I think that with elderly relatives, I have become increasingly concerned about the elderly and the effects of isolation and loneliness on them, so when the Covid Pandemic hit, it really brought that to the forefront for me and so I wanted to do something positive to help in whatever way I could. This is when I came across Age UK Wakefield District and made that call.

What is the best part of your role?

I think it’s getting to know people you probably would never have met. You do have that initial worry that you might not get on with the person you are matched to, or that you might not have anything to talk about or that they might not like you, but like all friendships whether through work or socialising, it develops as you get to know each other and you pick up those conversations and get to know each other over time. 

What would you say is the hardest part of your role?

I don’t work Fridays so I undertake my befriending role on that day. Sometimes though it can be tricky to fit everything in on my day off, but I have a regular time that I visit/phone my elderly befriendees and it’s something I look forward to. My befriendees are quite flexible so if I do need to call a bit earlier or later, we arrange that beforehand and agree a suitable time.

Is there a particular moment or story that sticks out from your time volunteering with us?

A recent highlight was talking about the D-Day anniversary and child evacuees during World War two when my befriended told me about their experience of being evacuated to the countryside as a small child, and hearing their recollection of events, and I shared my grandmother’s story about taking in evacuee children during the war.

If someone told you they were interested in volunteering at Age UK Wakefield District, what advice or encouragement would you offer?

Definitely go for it, there’s a variety of roles to suit everyone. I know from my experience it’s a valuable and rewarding role, you get so much from it, whilst knowing you have also brightened someone’s day even a little bit.

How easy did you find the process of applying to volunteer with us through to getting started in your role?

Getting onboard and starting the role was quite straightforward, from that initial call and chat, to information and guidance to read, and then getting your Age UK Wakefield District pass. There’s always someone available to answer any questions you may have.