Lisburn woman celebrates eight years of volunteering as a befriender

For Pauline a simple act of volunteering has now led to a friendship that has transformed two lives.

The Befriending Service helps reduce loneliness and social isolation among people aged 65 and over by providing regular telephone calls and home visits.

Loneliness can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether caused by bereavement, illness, disability, caring responsibilities, retirement or major life changes, prolonged loneliness can have a significant impact on both mental and physical wellbeing.

Pauline explained how she became a Volunteer Befriender through information leaflets that had been placed in the surgery where she worked.

“I thought this was something I could do as I was searching for some voluntary work, so I applied,” she said.

“I have been a Volunteer Befriender for the past eight years.

"At that time, I did not realise there was such a need for people who simply needed company.

"I got in touch with the service and they matched me up with a lovely wee lady.

"We have been in each other’s lives for the past eight years now. It is a very special friendship. I am the constant in her life.”

Pauline is passionate about encouraging others to consider becoming a Volunteer Befriender.

“I tell everyone that I am a Volunteer Befriender because I am so proud of it,” she continued.

“It could be your Mum, your Dad or your grandparents sitting alone with only the television for company. Then there is a knock at the door and their face lights up. They say, ‘It’s you, it’s you.’ That makes it all worthwhile.”

South Eastern Trust, Health Development Specialist, Safe and Well Service, Rachel O’Reilly said the Befriending Service plays a vital role in supporting older people across the Trust area.

“Our Volunteer Befrienders play an extremely important role in helping to reduce loneliness and isolation among older people in our communities,” she said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the time and commitment they give each week.

"Volunteers such as Pauline make a tremendous difference through telephone befriending and face-to-face visits.

“Many of the people they support live alone and have very limited contact with family or friends.

"The feedback that we get from both the Service Users and Volunteers is that that visit, that call, builds connections.”

Rachel said it is often difficult to fully capture the impact Volunteers have on the lives of those they support.

“Some of the feedback we have received describe the connections as life changing for them,” she continued.

"That weekly visit, that check in, the Volunteers go above and beyond.

“When we talk about loneliness, we sometimes associate it with being on our own and quite often you find that there are people, in a room full of others, who are lonely and it is building those connections that we have found are just so important.

“It is lovely to see the trust and friendship grow and develop between our Volunteer Befrienders and the people that they form that connection with too.”

If you would like to volunteer, contact [email protected].