Gretta is a local hero

Gretta has been active volunteer befriender with Bryson Charitable Group for almost two years now after a poster in the local dentist surgery spurred her on to apply for the volunteering role.

Valerie Robinson, Bryson Care’s Volunteer Befriending Coordinator, explained just how special Gretta is. “Having been a primary school teacher Gretta had volunteered before joining our Bryson Care team (Action Cancer, Chest Heart & Stroke and RNID),” she said. “Gretta is an ideal befriender – she has oodles of people and life skills and she cares about people – which is vitally important.”

Gretta enquired about joining the volunteer befriending team of Bryson Care in October 2010, and has been visiting a older lady in Lisburn ever since.

Each week Gretta makes the journey to see Florence and together they go shopping, out for coffee or on the odd occasions to appointments at a Belfast hospital.

Gretta is reimbursed for any mileage she does in her own car whilst volunteering therefore she has no expense, other than giving freely of her time.

Having completed the ten hour training and induction programme, Gretta hasn’t looked back. Her client (aged eighty plus) has macular degeneration, and seldom gets visits from her family. She is therefore really appreciative of Gretta’s friendship and support.

“They have become great friends,” continued Valerie. “It is really quite an exceptional match, but that’s not down to me - it’s due to Gretta’s wonderful personality. Florence has told me that she finds her easy to talk to, a great listener, very patient, always considerate and respectful, most accommodating and such good fun. That’s quite a glowing description, but I must say I agree with every word.”

In order to join the Bryson Charitable Group, volunteers need to be over 18 years old, provide two referees and be prepared to submit NI Access forms. The Befriending Services are offered to those over 65 years of age to all who live within the Down and Lisburn Trust areas. For further details of volunteering opportunities or to register your interest contact Valerie on 07808765440 or email [email protected].

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