©InfoTess Rees was so impressed by the Red Cross’ support following her beloved husband’s death that, aged 82, she signed up as a volunteer – and hasn’t looked back.
The sudden loss of her husband propelled Tess into a world of loneliness – until she was referred to the Red Cross, which runs a befriending service for older people in North Wales.
Support worker Sue Whalley visited Tess at her Denbighshire home every week, and their weekly chats over a cup of coffee helped tremendously.
Eager volunteer
Tess recalled: “I was alone and feeling sorry for myself. I thought there must be other people like me who I could befriend, but I didn’t know how to find them. Sue’s visits made all the difference.”
Later, Sue set up a Telebuddies scheme where volunteers make weekly phone calls to those supported by the befriending service. She remembered Tess had earlier mentioned working on the telephone exchange for 25 years – and that she’d also volunteered as a Samaritan – so asked her to volunteer. The pensioner jumped at the opportunity.
Tess, who volunteers at the Abergele Red Cross office once a week, has been a runaway success as a telebuddy. She’s even been described by one grateful befriendee as ‘Mother Teresa’ – and lots of service users now wait eagerly by the phone for their weekly chat.
Grateful for calls
One wheelchair-bound man, for example, having recently returned home from hospital, had completely lost his confidence and was afraid to go out. But, with a little friendly coaxing from Tess, he confronted his worries and is now much more active.
Tess said: “I tell them I’m always here for them and will never desert them. They sometimes get frightened and think they are going to be left alone, but I say we will always phone them.
“We don’t tell them what to do, merely suggest what they can do and offer options. Put simply, we are just a helping voice.”
‘Happy times’
Unsurprisingly, all this volunteering has had a hugely beneficial impact on Tess’ own life. She said: “This is my lifeline too. There are such happy times when something I’ve suggested turns out to have helped.
“And when I call, I can hear people become more cheerful and start to laugh while we enjoy a friendly chat. What could be more rewarding than that?”
Learn more about the care in the home service