Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.
To mark Volunteers Week, we spoke to some of our Silver Talk volunteers to find out why they got involved with our telephone befriending service and how they help us to support our communities.
Susan has been volunteering for Silver Talk for two years:
"I’ve always been involved with the community and during lockdown I realised there were a lot of people who were isolated. As a pensioner and conscientious citizen, I wanted to see how I could help.
"I found out about Silver Talk through Facebook and some of my connections in the community and thought it sounded like a great idea.
"I find it really uplifting and rewarding. I look forward to talking to them and they look forward to talking to me. We can’t wait to find out what each other has been doing."
Anne has volunteered with Silver Talk for four years. She sees the people she talks to as friends rather than service users:
"It was especially important during the lockdowns when people were so isolated. I would be the only contact they have.
"I look forward to talking to them – I watch the clock waiting for the call. It cheers me up if I’m down. They say, “You make my day.” Some of them are sitting on the phone waiting for me to call – they answer straight away.
"I speak to 13 people in total. When you’re doing it you get so involved with them, you become part of their family. I’m a daughter, I’m a sister."
Volunteer, Ann feels that being both a good talker and a listener has made her a good volunteer:
"As someone who is on their own as well, it’s nice to have someone to have a regular chat with. It’s really good for people who are on their own and like to talk to others.
"It’s nice to get to know to different people. Some are easy to talk to and some take a little longer to open up, but they are all really nice. You just need to listen, show empathy and give support when needed."
How to get involved with Silver Talk
If you can spare an hour or two each week and enjoy listening, chatting and getting to know people, volunteering with Silver Talk is the perfect way to give something back. You can do it from your home and Karbon can provide volunteers with a smartphone to make the calls. Find out more on our Silver Talk volunteering page.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from speaking to a Silver Talk volunteer or would like you volunteer, please contact us by calling 0191 223 8662 or email silvertalk@karbonhomes.co.uk.
Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.
To mark Volunteers Week, we spoke to some of our Silver Talk volunteers to find out why they got involved with our telephone befriending service and how they help us to support our communities.
Susan has been volunteering for Silver Talk for two years:
"I’ve always been involved with the community and during lockdown I realised there were a lot of people who were isolated. As a pensioner and conscientious citizen, I wanted to see how I could help.
"I found out about Silver Talk through Facebook and some of my connections in the community and thought it sounded like a great idea.
"I find it really uplifting and rewarding. I look forward to talking to them and they look forward to talking to me. We can’t wait to find out what each other has been doing."
Anne has volunteered with Silver Talk for four years. She sees the people she talks to as friends rather than service users:
"It was especially important during the lockdowns when people were so isolated. I would be the only contact they have.
"I look forward to talking to them – I watch the clock waiting for the call. It cheers me up if I’m down. They say, “You make my day.” Some of them are sitting on the phone waiting for me to call – they answer straight away.
"I speak to 13 people in total. When you’re doing it you get so involved with them, you become part of their family. I’m a daughter, I’m a sister."
Volunteer, Ann feels that being both a good talker and a listener has made her a good volunteer:
"As someone who is on their own as well, it’s nice to have someone to have a regular chat with. It’s really good for people who are on their own and like to talk to others.
"It’s nice to get to know to different people. Some are easy to talk to and some take a little longer to open up, but they are all really nice. You just need to listen, show empathy and give support when needed."
How to get involved with Silver Talk
If you can spare an hour or two each week and enjoy listening, chatting and getting to know people, volunteering with Silver Talk is the perfect way to give something back. You can do it from your home and Karbon can provide volunteers with a smartphone to make the calls. Find out more on our Silver Talk volunteering page.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from speaking to a Silver Talk volunteer or would like you volunteer, please contact us by calling 0191 223 8662 or email silvertalk@karbonhomes.co.uk.
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