As I sit here today resting after a rather busy and stressful week I wanted to share with you my latest volunteering experience. I had been pondering posting this one for a while, but now that I am actually working and in between that going to the hospital to visit one of our family members, time is precious and rather limited.
My most recent volunteering experience was at a local Kingston charity called Age Concern. Below are some stories I have written from my experience there. These stories have been adapted to protect the privacy of the individuals but will give you an indication of the level of support this charity provides the local community.
Margaret is a rather sprightly 80 year old who is getting her hair done. Once a week clients of Age Concern can visit the hairdresser (and a podiatrist) for a discount rate. When she hears my Aussie accent she asks where I'm from. 'Adelaide, I've been to Adelaide many many years ago, beautiful place Adelaide'. She then starts to tell me how the Orient Express a ship she worked on transported migrants to Australia.'
Edith has lost her keys. She's been stuck at home for 3 days unable to make the doctors appointment or get food. At 86 years old you'd think the local council who own the flat she lives in would help but apparently they can't and so she's called for help.
Jane calls concerned about her brother. He's recently had an operation and is due to be discharged from hospital in a couple days. There is no family nearby. 'How will he do his shopping, cleaning and how can we make sure he's ok?' she asks. Age Concern have an advice line and also can help with regards to domestic chores such as shopping and cleaning.
Bob calls telling me the driver is late. 'Have they forgotten me?' he asks. Bob is not alone as a lot of calls that come through are to make sure they haven't been forgotten. With little else to keep them occupied the oldies look forward to a day out at the day centre to enjoy some company, participate in various activities and have lunch.
Jack... well Jack stands out as soon as you walk into the day centre. He's the resident Irish larrikin who loves a good banter. I can image that Jack was a bit of a lad back in the day and even now hunched over with age and leaning on a walking stick his mind is as sprightly as ever keeping the clients and workers there on their toes.
With the aging population charities such as this one will continue to need more and more support from us. The work they provide is invaluable.
If you want to do something good, please don't ignore those around you. Help a local charity like Age Concern either via donation or your own time. If you see someone in the street or on the train that needs some help offer it, please just don't ignore.
For more information about Age Concern Kingston you can visit their website at www.ageconcernkingston.org.
My most recent volunteering experience was at a local Kingston charity called Age Concern. Below are some stories I have written from my experience there. These stories have been adapted to protect the privacy of the individuals but will give you an indication of the level of support this charity provides the local community.
Margaret is a rather sprightly 80 year old who is getting her hair done. Once a week clients of Age Concern can visit the hairdresser (and a podiatrist) for a discount rate. When she hears my Aussie accent she asks where I'm from. 'Adelaide, I've been to Adelaide many many years ago, beautiful place Adelaide'. She then starts to tell me how the Orient Express a ship she worked on transported migrants to Australia.'
Edith has lost her keys. She's been stuck at home for 3 days unable to make the doctors appointment or get food. At 86 years old you'd think the local council who own the flat she lives in would help but apparently they can't and so she's called for help.
Jane calls concerned about her brother. He's recently had an operation and is due to be discharged from hospital in a couple days. There is no family nearby. 'How will he do his shopping, cleaning and how can we make sure he's ok?' she asks. Age Concern have an advice line and also can help with regards to domestic chores such as shopping and cleaning.
Bob calls telling me the driver is late. 'Have they forgotten me?' he asks. Bob is not alone as a lot of calls that come through are to make sure they haven't been forgotten. With little else to keep them occupied the oldies look forward to a day out at the day centre to enjoy some company, participate in various activities and have lunch.
Jack... well Jack stands out as soon as you walk into the day centre. He's the resident Irish larrikin who loves a good banter. I can image that Jack was a bit of a lad back in the day and even now hunched over with age and leaning on a walking stick his mind is as sprightly as ever keeping the clients and workers there on their toes.
With the aging population charities such as this one will continue to need more and more support from us. The work they provide is invaluable.
If you want to do something good, please don't ignore those around you. Help a local charity like Age Concern either via donation or your own time. If you see someone in the street or on the train that needs some help offer it, please just don't ignore.
For more information about Age Concern Kingston you can visit their website at www.ageconcernkingston.org.
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