SOMETIMES, what people need to stave off loneliness, is a friendly face and a good gasbag.
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The Red Cross Community Visitors Scheme provides elderly residents with exactly this.
Dawn Bowers is the volunteer recruiter for the South Coast. She matches volunteers with a person who has similar interests and facilitates visits with them wherever they are.
Gill Rolfe is one of the local volunteers at Sarah Claydon Retirement Village.
She started visiting Grace Mason three weeks ago and the pair bonded instantly over their interest in Red Cross.
Grace has been a member of the organisation for more than 75 years. Gill has been a member for more than 20 years.
While Grace is no longer an active member, she still crochets for the local branch.
The two found an immediate connection and tend to chat for a lot longer than their designated one hour time slot.
“They start talking about Red Cross and I just leave them to it,” said Dawn, who sits in on visits.
Gill started telecross in the area more than 20 years ago, which was based on a similar idea, where members of the Red Cross call people of a morning just for a chat.
“It seemed like a logical progression to get involved in the Community Visitors Scheme,” Gill said.
“I like talking to people.”
“Anything you do for the community is rewarding.”
Grace enjoys her weekly visit from Gill, and often her husband, who lives a couple of doors down in Sarah Claydon, will come over at the same time.
“Sometimes more people come in and it turns into a joint visit,” Grace said.
The scheme has led to many mutually beneficial friendships being formed around the South Coast.
“It’s like visiting your grandparents,” said another South Coast volunteer, Lee Woodward.
“You listen to their stories and have a laugh together.”
“I get a lot out of that too.”
The Red Cross Community Visitors Scheme is currently looking for volunteers in the Milton Ulladulla area.
If you have one hour a week or fortnight to spare, enjoy a chat and would like to do something rewarding in the community, give Dawn Bowers a call at the office on 44284900 for more information.