Volunteer Spotlight – March

Thursday 4 March 2021

Some of our Community Companions have continued their volunteering throughout the pandemic, albeit in a different way. Kathy has been a Community Companion for over 2 years now, and has kindly shared her story for our Volunteer Spotlight.

“During this pandemic, we have been asked to telephone a patient once a week, rather than visit, to continue to provide support. In July, I was ‘matched’ with a delightful lady, whom I shall call Janet, who lives alone, and we have been chatting away once a week since!

And what an interesting and lively lady Janet is! The time flies while we chatter about anything and everything. We spend little time talking about her medical condition. Luckily, she is able manage it and however much it interferes with her daily activities; she seems very stoical.

Janet has had a full life, working since she was teenager in the late 1940s. She remembers her family experiences during the war and how she worked afterwards, earning 25s a week, putting 3d into her bank account as savings! She has travelled widely and has lots of interesting and sometimes, amusing stories! In addition, we seem to share views on current affairs, spending time ‘putting the world to rights’ as she puts it!

Our chats end after about 40 mins and for me, the time has flown. I understand from the Community Companions team, that Janet enjoys the contact. I can only hope that when this Covid crisis is over I will be able to visit her and meet her face to face. I have a feeling that we will get on!”