Words by Smiley Team
A charity supporting older people in the community has praised volunteers for their essential work.
Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) works towards improving quality of life for the over 60s in the Yorkshire town by providing community based activities, information, help and support.
Much of this support has had to be delivered virtually due to the pandemic, which includes making more than 5,000 phone calls to people shielding alone, delivering activity packs aimed at older people and organising virtual sessions in activities from line dancing to singing.
As restrictions ease they hope to start delivering more face to face activities, including re-opening their community cafe.
But to do this they need more volunteers who are able to support older people who may be isolated or lonely.
Mark Dobson, Chief Operating Officer at WiSE, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our work. They are central to many of our most important services and we are always looking for more so that we can help even more isolated, older people live happy and fulfilling lives.
“Some people volunteer for just an hour a week as a befriender, whilst others contribute more time towards supporting our many other services.
“Enthusiasm, positivity and the ability to listen are skills we need, but if you have other skills which might support our work, we’ll do our best to find the right volunteering opportunity for you.”
Jacqueline Heseltine, 68, has volunteered for WiSE for six years, says the best bit about her role is knowing the difference she makes to an older person’s life.
Jaqueline said: “I started to volunteer for WiSE in April 2015 at one of the regular memory café meets. I was very nervous, but the other volunteers and the co-ordinator made me feel very welcome.
“I decided to volunteer as I was a senior care assistant looking after older people in a care home. I loved the job and when the home closed, I missed working with the residents. So when I retired and had more time, I saw an advert for volunteers within WiSE and here I am years later.
“The thing I like most about volunteering is helping people who are sometimes forgotten about, and to make them feel that somebody does care - and to stop them being alone.”
For more information about WiSE visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
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