After many years of caring and never having time for myself, I suddenly found myself with more time than I knew what to do with.  My caring role had come to an end and my children had reached a stage of independence where they didn’t need me as much as they used too.   Initially, I felt slightly abandoned as this was all I’d known for years and now these empty gaps that I’d sometimes dreamed of, but reality was, they felt like voluminous voids becoming larger. 

My confidence was low.   Then one day I was having a clear out and came across some information I’d received from Derbyshire Carers, included was some information about having a befriender for carers who were isolated and lonely.  I was very lucky that through my journey I hadn’t needed this kind of support but strangely this was how I was feeling right now, if not even a little terrified, forging a new me into the world! I thought about it for some time before I found the confidence to make the call and when the time felt right I reached out.  I chatted with the Volunteer Coordinator about the different roles available and decided that I would like to become a befriender as now recognised that lonely feeling, only from a different perspective. 

I started to put more thought into my own future as my confidence began to grow and felt ale to face new challenges, being part of a supportive environment, while feeling rewarded, making a positive impact and an opportunity to explore career paths.  I enrolled on a Social Care course and the skills and confidence I had gained though volunteering have been invaluable and now working in Social Care whilst studying part time. 

To find out more about volunteering for us see https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/volunteering