Community befriender volunteer described as ‘wee best friend’ as success of initiative continues to grow
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Providing chat and companionship to help reduce loneliness and social isolation for older people within South Eastern Trust areas, the Befriender service continues to provides invaluable assistance to many people.
A retired GP receptionist, Pauline explained how she became a Befriender through information leaflets that had been placed in the surgery.
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Hide Ad"I thought this was something I could do as I was searching for some voluntary work so I applied,” she said.
Pauline said that she saw a need within the elderly community for companionship as, “I believe that they can sometimes be forgotten and they need a bit more support, especially when living alone.
"I visit Frances once a week for around one hour and I know that Frances appreciates the company as her family are not close by.”
Pauline continued: “When Frances and I had our ‘match meeting’ we just hit it off straight away.
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Hide Ad"I look forward to coming to see Frances and she looks forward to seeing me. Our friendship is very much a two way thing and it is very rewarding for both of us. Frances classes me as her ‘wee best friend’ which is just lovely. Frances is very much a friend too.”
Frances described how much she looks forward to Pauline’s weekly visits as “there is many a lonely person out there.”
She said: “We sit and chat and that means a lot to me. “We chat about everything, Pauline is very good company.”
South Eastern Trust’s Volunteer Befriending Facilitator Lynn Shields said: “The importance of the Befriending service is to reduce social isolation and loneliness for those in the community who are aged 65 and who live alone.
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Hide Ad“Through the service we offer the chance to become a volunteer by telephone or a weekly visit. We currently have around 40 people availing of the service
“We could not run this service without our volunteers. What they do really makes such a difference.”
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Befriender please contact 02897 566 934 or email [email protected]