Members’ Testimonials

Tuesdays used to be so dull and lonely. Now I look forward to each one, we appear to have quite a lot in common and if they are all like Barbara, I’m sure you are onto a winner. You want a few more Barbara’s but NOT MINE !

It means a lot to me. Sometimes Carly is the only one I see over the weekend, I look forward to seeing her.

I don’t get many visitors and I look forward to Jo visiting. I can talk to her like an old friend. We go out for a drive on odd times and that I enjoy as I don’t drive.

I really enjoy the visits from Steve, He is very interesting to talk to. It makes such a difference as I sometimes do not see anyone all day. I think all the volunteers do a great job giving up their time for these visits.

What a wonderful service the befriending service is. It has made such a difference to me to have someone call and just let me talk. Living alone it is such a wonderful service for me – very many thanks.

I am very pleased with your service. I am 94, live alone and can’t go out alone and all my friends have died. I enjoy Heidi’s visits; I tell her about my young life. I thank you for the visits, I enjoy them very much .

Jennie is tremendously pleasant and such a charmer, we just can’t say enough about Jennie. She brings us flowers, she is gorgeous. We are very very lucky to have her. Jennie is everything to us.

My new friend has become my walking companion. Since being diagnosed with heart failure my capacity for walking was severely reduced. Through Age UK, I was introduced to Eileen who has helped me to get out once or twice every week for a short walk. I was lacking confidence on my own so I do very much appreciate the help she gives me.

My very dear friend Carol comes to me every Monday 2pm when it is possible. I can’t praise her enough, she is very dear to me and I miss her on odd occasions when she can’t come. If the world was full of Carol’s it would be a better place to live in. I hope I’m as good a friend to her as she is to me.

My past was in social work and I love to talk, Peter keeps me going with updated news and cups of tea.

With no family, I look forward to Peters visits weekly.

I enjoy my chats with my friend Peter, nice to have someone to chat with as I don’t often see many visitors.

I enjoy the visits of Lucy; it breaks up a lonely week.

Diana has helped me such a lot, I always look forward to her visits and she is such a happy soul.

Sometimes I feel four walls have become a prison.  I have only known Adrian, my befriending volunteer for the past few months but he has become someone I can talk and listen to with complete ease. He will help me with minor irritants, such as a wall clock that refuses to go for me, but immediately responds to Adrian’s magic touch!  I really look forward to his visits however long or short they may be. I see Adrian as a lifeline to the ‘outside world’ – long may his visits continue. Thank you.

My volunteer visits me on a Wednesday giving me a centre visit on the midweek. We have similar interests and sense of humour, which ensures we have plenty to talk about and he is widely travelled both in England and abroad. We have visited plays and performances and have been out to lunch (food and drink both common interests). Everybody should have a ‘GAV’.

Most of mum’s friends have passed away and although my sister and I see her regularly she misses human contact.  She suffers from dementia so she doesn’t always remember details of the conversations with her befriending service – but knowing that someone calls once a week has restored some of the old Phyllis who has become more chatty and is definitely more happy then she was.  So a big thank to your team and the amazing work you do – long may it continue.

Roz is a delightful lady and she is extremely thoughtful. Mum is totally house-bound now and Roz brings in a breath of fresh air and new topics of conversation. In spite of her condition, Mum maintains an interest in all that is going on, and Roz is able to bring with her a bit of the outside world. I’m sure Mum enjoys a break from nattering with me, and for me, it is wonderful to know that she will have company on most Sunday afternoons, thereby giving me a break.  Thank you very much, Roz, for giving up your free time which is time you might prefer to spend with your family – we truly appreciate your generosity.

I cannot say Thank you enough for sending my befriender Sarah to visit me. I could not have wished for anyone nicer, she is a lovely young lady and so easy to chat to. Many Thanks.

I haven’t known Sue for long but I enjoy the hour she spends with me, chatting about anything and everything and playing scrabble. I am mostly on my own so her company is very welcome.

Because of severe health problems my wife is totally housebound. Having a visitor from outside makes her life much more balanced. Jocelyn is truly excellent in this role.

When Joan comes it is a joy to see her. We often talk things over that I am unhappy about, but she always makes me see things in a different light. She helps me so much and this enables my husband to have space. She helps us so much; I feel she has become a close friend. Thank you.

Myself and my mum are very grateful to Hannah and all at the befriending service for giving up their time to help. Mum finds it a great help to have someone who listens to her stories of the old days and it’s a great help to me to know she’s got company which gives me a break without worries.

Simon is beautiful and so caring. He is lovely and helps me.

I would like to thank Nimisha and Rachael for all the help they give me with my computer and my writing, I have lost my independence and they help me so much they are both so patient and kind. I am very grateful to them both and the Befriending Service.