Volunteering as a ‘Phone a friend’ – What I get out of it
Megan and Howard’s Story
Megan and Howard are two buddies through our ‘Phone a Friend’ COVID-19 intervention. They have kindly gave us their thoughts on the impact it has had on both of them.
Megan
I applied to be a ‘phone a friend’ buddy with the view that it was my duty to help in some way during the covid-19 pandemic. I’m terrible with blood and if someone else throws up – it’s a cert, I will too. So I’d have definitely been more of a strain on the NHS volunteering in the hospital. At aged 21, insurance on a car is crippling so my recent unemployment meant that going shopping for people was a no-go but sitting at home and ringing someone – well that was manageable.
Once I dealt with the anxiety induced by the first couple of calls – I was on a roll.
Something that started as me thinking I was helping another has ended up with me finding a new coping mechanism in this weird new way of life. After my university closed, all of my work dried up and I had to move out of Liverpool – I felt lost and purposeless.
I feel like I’m getting over that hurdle now. Slowly but surely and I’m finding my feet in this new way of life and this volunteering scheme has been the helping hand I needed. Every couple of days I’ll pop the kettle on, sit down and have a chat with my ‘buddy’ for half an hour. We talk about everything – past, present and future. It’s been amazing to get to know someone this way, to help them and have them help me.
I think we’re all guilty of isolating ourselves at times, I know I am, but with ‘phone a friend’ – I’ve forced myself not to. I can’t. That pencilled in time leaves me with no choice other than to reach out. Once I’ve made one call, I usually make another, because everyone is struggling right now.
Now, more than ever – we need to be there for each other. Whether it be 6 feet between us, or a few hundred miles.
Howard
I was very low and finding your organisation helped me no end.
I found the organisation through a text sent by my G.P at Aston Health Care -It was a godsend!
I followed the link and spoke to a lovely lady.
She told me about their BUDDY scheme and I thought after the call ‘wow some body cares!’
I was very impressed about the time she got me matched with a buddy -no time at all,very quick indeed! My buddy is a really nice woman, she didn’t rush me and I spoke to her the first time for a good hour, it’s up to you! NO rush. There’s no time limit and you can speak for as long as you need. I can speak about anything to my buddy.
All in all, a great organisation, friendly and helpful.
Give it a go, don’t be sad speak to your buddy through the organisation.
GIVE IT A GO!
