"I am pleased to be able to make a difference and help someone who is alone and look forward to the visits."

Margaret was referred to Reach Out by a GP Link Worker. Reach Out support those facing loneliness or are vulnerable, whom have recently left hospital or who are risk of hospital admission. They do this by connecting clients with a befriender, for companionship, getting out and about and some regular connection.

At the time, Margaret was living with mild cognitive impairment and receiving support from the frailty team.

Like many people in similar situations, Margaret was spending a lot of time on her own so it was felt that having a befriender could offer her companionship, reassurance and perhaps even give her the confidence to get out and about again.

Enter, Sharon.

Sharon is a volunteer at Reach Out and upon asking if she would be happy to be matched with Margaret, she didn’t hesitate. Even after learning about Margaret’s mild cognitive impairment and that things might take time, Sharon was keen to help, if anything, it made her even more determined to help.

Their first contact was a phone call… which lasted 45 minutes! They had plenty to talk about and an immediate connection. When they first met in person, they got on really well, but Margaret understandably struggled at first to remember who Sharon was and when she would be visiting.

Sharon came up with a simple but brilliant plan. She photocopied her Reach Out ID badge and left a copy by Margaret’s diary, so Margaret could check each day who was coming and when. It worked a treat.

Before long, Margaret was ready and waiting when Sharon knocked on the door, knowing exactly who to expect. Soon, their visits began to include trips out together - something Margaret now looks forward to enormously.

These days, they love nothing more than heading out for a Coke, some peanuts and a good old chin wag.

Being able to get out of the house has made a real difference to Margaret’s mental health and feelings of loneliness.

As Sharon explains:

"Margaret spends a lot of time in her flat on her own and really looks forward to my visits so she can have a change of scenery and to do something different. Most times I take a picture and send it to her so she'll have something to reminder her of where we've been and what we've done."

Margaret worries about her memory and Sharon’s weekly visits have become a reassuring constant in her life.

Sharon has also been mindful of how Margaret experiences her memory loss. Margaret can remember the distant past but struggles with more recent events and has shared that some people can be abrupt when she repeats herself, which causes her anxiety.

"I tell her it does not matter,” Sharon says, “everyone forgets things and it’s okay to be told things more than once. We keep things light and relaxed, have a giggle and always have fun during my visits.

Sharon encourages Margaret’s independence and always speaks positively to her, helping to build confidence rather than anxiety.

And the impact goes both ways.

"I am pleased to be able to make a difference and help someone who is alone," Sharon says. "I look forward to the visits. It’s helped me gain insight and understanding of dementia so I can support people better and not cause distress."

She adds that the visits help her too, "I struggle to relax, so it’s good to sit and chat and eat cake. When I leave, Margaret shouts ‘Love Ya’ - and my heart hurts."

Volunteers like Sharon, who give their time, compassion and creativity to support vulnerable people in our community, make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Stories like Sharon and Margaret’s remind us why befriending is so important, particularly during seasons when people may feel more isolated. If you’d like to read more about the impact of befriending and why it matters now more than ever, you can explore our other blogs on befriending and community connection.

Or explore some of our befriending opportunities here - Could you be a befriender? | GoVolHerts