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Volunteers with Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton’s Friendship Service have enjoyed, and been committed to, providing valuable and constant support to those lonely and isolated throughout the year.
Being lonely and isolated can have devastating consequences for people of any age but, to our older community, coming to terms with fast moving changes in society; the landmarks that have changed or disappeared, and the closures of familiar and reassuring buildings and organisations, can reinforce the sense of detachment from ‘what is going on outside’ a front door that rarely opens.
Knowing, however, that for one point in the week at least, a friendly and familiar face will visit, provides an anchor and a point of reference in the week; along with a sense of hope and eager anticipation.
When their clients speak about our volunteers, they describe their time together as being “a breath of fresh air” and “a time of enormous comfort and benefit.”
Volunteering has great benefits for both parties, with their befrienders often reporting that they can get as much out of their visits as the clients themselves. One particular volunteer, who had experienced loneliness in his own life, stated that:
“Becoming a volunteer changed my life and made all the difference in the world to me. It gave me a purpose which I always enjoy.”
The wonderful thing about being a companion is that a volunteer doesn’t have to be ‘the life and soul of the party’ or ‘the most interesting conversationalist in the world’; just someone who enjoys people, and who is willing to offer a small amount of their time in such a worthwhile and rewarding way.
Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton would like to say a big thank you to all their volunteers who have given freely throughout the year, and to their clients, for being such great people to visit.
To learn more more about Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton, please click here.
To learn about volunteering with Age Concern Liverpool & Sefton, please click here.
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