It’s ten years since Silver Talk’s first volunteers picked up the telephone to offer friendship to someone in need of a chat. Thousands of calls and friendships later, we catch up with one of the original volunteers to hear how the service unexpectedly changed her life, as well as those she’s supported.
Q Hi June, tell us how you became a Silver Talker
When I was made redundant ten years ago, I really missed my colleagues and job. I’d worked beyond my retirement years because I liked my office job so much. I felt like I still had something to give and didn’t want to just go home and vegetate! Then I spotted a sign in the window of the office in Stanley, looking for volunteers for a new telephone befriending service, and the rest is history!
Q What does your role involve?
I put aside two afternoons a week to do my calls and I like the structure that it brings to my week. I currently have nine regular people on my call list and we’ve built up lovely relationships. We talk about anything and everything! But most importantly, I give plenty of space for them to talk about what’s on their mind.
Q What do you get from it?
I love talking to people and it makes me feel so good to know that I’m helping someone else. But it’s helped me too – especially over that period when I thought I was going to be lonely. We are like an extended family and go through the ups and downs together. There is no better feeling than to end a call with a laugh when the person has been feeling down.
Q Share with us a highlight from your time volunteering
It’s lovely when people start to come out of their shell. People are sometimes shy and nervous on their first calls and it’s great to hear them starting to relax and have fun. One of my long-term Silver Talkers told me recently that he was a bit worried before our very first call but now our conversations make his week. We share a love of 50s music and one of our favourite things to do is to have a little music quiz.
Q How does the service help Karbon customers?
Aside from the benefits of friendship and conversation, we act as a good way to connect people to the help they need. There is so much support out there but often people just don’t know about it. So, if someone mentions something they are struggling with, I’ll speak to the Silver Talk Team about finding a way to help.
Q Would you encourage others to volunteer?
I would wholeheartedly encourage people to give it a try. I’m always telling people how great the role is. You don’t need any special skills and Karbon trains you on anything practical you need to know. You just need to be happy to listen, talk and to be kind.
Volunteer
Could you spare a couple of hours a week to help? We have people waiting to talk to you.
- Have fun and feel fulfilled
- Increase your confidence and learn a new skill
- Positively impact someone’s life simply by chatting and listening
- Help reduce loneliness and isolation
- Full training provided.
Try the service
Sign up for free weekly calls from a volunteer for up to 30 minutes.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up and register your interest via email or telephone – or register someone who you think would benefit (with their permission)
- We ask you a few questions about yourself
- We match you with a volunteer when we have one available
- We’ll give you a call and get things started.
For full details of how to sign up as a volunteer or a service user visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/silvertalk or give us a call on 0191 223 8662, or email silvertalk@karbonhomes.co.uk
Thoughts on Silver Talk
“It’s just a pleasure – it’s like I have a sister back.” Olive, service user
“Ann, the person who calls me, is a lovely lady. She is absolutely class.” Michael, service user
“A lot of disabled and vulnerable people lost contact with relatives, neighbours and friends over lockdown. Silver Talk has provided them a way to regain their confidence and start talking to people again.” Susan, volunteer
“They are counting the days until I ring them.” Anne, volunteer
“As someone who is on their own as well, it’s nice to have someone to have a regular chat with.” Ann, volunteer
Karbon Comment
Silver Talk is an incredible success story thanks to the dedication of our wonderful volunteers. For some service users their call will be the only conversation they have all week so it makes the world of difference to them.
Christine Fletcher, Silver Talk Coordinator
It’s ten years since Silver Talk’s first volunteers picked up the telephone to offer friendship to someone in need of a chat. Thousands of calls and friendships later, we catch up with one of the original volunteers to hear how the service unexpectedly changed her life, as well as those she’s supported.
Q Hi June, tell us how you became a Silver Talker
When I was made redundant ten years ago, I really missed my colleagues and job. I’d worked beyond my retirement years because I liked my office job so much. I felt like I still had something to give and didn’t want to just go home and vegetate! Then I spotted a sign in the window of the office in Stanley, looking for volunteers for a new telephone befriending service, and the rest is history!
Q What does your role involve?
I put aside two afternoons a week to do my calls and I like the structure that it brings to my week. I currently have nine regular people on my call list and we’ve built up lovely relationships. We talk about anything and everything! But most importantly, I give plenty of space for them to talk about what’s on their mind.
Q What do you get from it?
I love talking to people and it makes me feel so good to know that I’m helping someone else. But it’s helped me too – especially over that period when I thought I was going to be lonely. We are like an extended family and go through the ups and downs together. There is no better feeling than to end a call with a laugh when the person has been feeling down.
Q Share with us a highlight from your time volunteering
It’s lovely when people start to come out of their shell. People are sometimes shy and nervous on their first calls and it’s great to hear them starting to relax and have fun. One of my long-term Silver Talkers told me recently that he was a bit worried before our very first call but now our conversations make his week. We share a love of 50s music and one of our favourite things to do is to have a little music quiz.
Q How does the service help Karbon customers?
Aside from the benefits of friendship and conversation, we act as a good way to connect people to the help they need. There is so much support out there but often people just don’t know about it. So, if someone mentions something they are struggling with, I’ll speak to the Silver Talk Team about finding a way to help.
Q Would you encourage others to volunteer?
I would wholeheartedly encourage people to give it a try. I’m always telling people how great the role is. You don’t need any special skills and Karbon trains you on anything practical you need to know. You just need to be happy to listen, talk and to be kind.
Volunteer
Could you spare a couple of hours a week to help? We have people waiting to talk to you.
Try the service
Sign up for free weekly calls from a volunteer for up to 30 minutes.
Here’s how it works:
For full details of how to sign up as a volunteer or a service user visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/silvertalk or give us a call on 0191 223 8662, or email silvertalk@karbonhomes.co.uk
Thoughts on Silver Talk
“It’s just a pleasure – it’s like I have a sister back.” Olive, service user
“Ann, the person who calls me, is a lovely lady. She is absolutely class.” Michael, service user
“A lot of disabled and vulnerable people lost contact with relatives, neighbours and friends over lockdown. Silver Talk has provided them a way to regain their confidence and start talking to people again.” Susan, volunteer
“They are counting the days until I ring them.” Anne, volunteer
“As someone who is on their own as well, it’s nice to have someone to have a regular chat with.” Ann, volunteer
Karbon Comment
Silver Talk is an incredible success story thanks to the dedication of our wonderful volunteers. For some service users their call will be the only conversation they have all week so it makes the world of difference to them.
Christine Fletcher, Silver Talk Coordinator
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