Befriending Week takes place 1-7 November this year and it's a chance to let befriendees know how important they are and thank volunteers and staff.

Telephone Befriending supports over 50 carers throughout Derbyshire each week who are lonely or isolated due to their caring role. To learn more and get inspired, read Karen's story below:

 

"My name is Karen and I am a befriending volunteer at Derbyshire Carers Association.

After working for over 14 years in administration at East Midlands Airport, I was made redundant. This gave me an ideal opportunity to help my Mum look after my Dad who was in the late stages of Vascular Dementia by giving her valuable respite, help and support. I really enjoyed this and so wanted to pursue a career in the caring industry.

In the height of the pandemic, and with my son who has autism off school, it was very difficult for me to obtain paid employment. To gain experience in this field, I signed up to become a befriending volunteer after learning about this whilst completing a Carer’s Assessment. 

I was given four wonderful Carers to call every week to just have a chat with about life, their families, putting the world to rights etc. We immediately got on so well. They would tell me about their issues they were having at home ask about me, and I think this helped them realise that they were not alone. Every time we ended our telephone conversations we were in really good spirits and would be laughing. 

Befriending is a wonderful service which can help lots of carers out there to just feel valued and not alone. I only wish I had more time to do more!

So, if anyone out there has a few hours spare a week, please consider befriending. It can really mean a lot to a Carer just to have someone to talk to and you may be the only person they’ve spoken to that week."

 

 

If you’re interested in volunteering for Derbyshire Carers Association, more information can be found on our Telephone Befriending Service.

Similarly, you can also contact us directly by calling 01773 833 833 or emailing info@derbyshirecarers.co.uk

 

For more information of Befriending Week, click here