Volunteers’ Week Blog: ‘It’s such a simple thing to have a conversation with someone, but it makes a huge difference’

At Age Scotland, we have the privilege of seeing first-hand the positive impact our volunteers have on the lives of older adults, their families and carers across Scotland on a daily basis and know that there is so much work that simply wouldn’t be possible without their ongoing passion and generosity.

Taking place between 1-7 June every year, Volunteers’ Week is a time to recognise and thank volunteers and shine a spotlight on the difference they make.

On that note, we’re delighted to share the experiences of our volunteer Friendship Caller Jamie.

Tell us about your role with Age Scotland

I am a volunteer Friendship Caller, so my role is to chat with those older folks who have asked for a weekly call as they may be lonely or would just like someone new to talk with.

What do you chat about?

Anything really! The role is not to give advice, rather it is for companionship, to provide a listening ear and talk about hobbies, interests, current affairs, childhood memories, working life, pets, books, TV - anything the person wants to talk about.

How long have you been doing it?

For about 14 months.

Why did you decide to volunteer?

I had time available on a Friday afternoon so wanted to help people if I could. Age Scotland was a great fit as I had previously supported older relatives, neighbours and friends.

What has the experience been like?

Genuinely amazing. It is such a simple thing to have a conversation with someone but, in this context, it makes a huge difference to the person. It may be the only contact they have with the outside world for days, so hearing a friendly voice really makes a difference. People are so appreciative of the service and for me personally it has been immensely rewarding, knowing that I have made a positive impact to someone's week by taking time to talk and listen.

What have been your high points so far?

Every call to be honest. It is lovely to have a bit of a laugh and joke with people and when they say how thankful they are for your time at the end of the call you know you have made a difference to their lives.

Have you experienced any challenges?

Sometimes the people we call can be a bit down or struggling with health issues, so that can be sad. However, invariably the call makes a huge difference so by the time the conversation has finished the person is much happier. Also, Age Scotland provides volunteers with excellent training regarding how to deal with difficult calls.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Absolutely. There are huge benefits to both the volunteer caller and the people being called, and who doesn’t like to chat?!

A huge thank you to Jamie for sharing your experiences with us, and for taking the time out of your week to volunteer for our friendship service. To find out more about volunteering with Age Scotland and the kind of opportunities we have available, visit www.age.scot/volunteer.