“I know that I’m going to come back from my visits with more knowledge. It’s like going to the library. Every single visit is a history lesson.”
Margaret is a Home Companion with AgeWell, an organisation that uses peer-based social engagement and mobile technology to improve health outcomes and well-being among older people.
“We’re not a carer and we aren’t trained in personal care. We combat loneliness. We chat basically! Sometimes people can live in a family home and although they’re really very well looked after, the family is busy and don’t have time to sit and chat anymore. It’s very functional. You can notice if things are going awry. Ring a couple of times a week. We have an app on our phone that we ask certain questions on certain days as an update on wellbeing. It could flag to the system and the nurse may want to follow up with. The app is fabulous. Some days we have a check in on the app, just to say that you’re there. Theres a safety to that.
“I sing in a nursing home once a week. I have to laugh. My favourite thing is to hear laughter. If there’s something really funny or how they are relaying that story to hear them laugh is so lovely. Some of [the service users] could be the same age as me, I’m 70. The people are so interesting. I love stories and the memories that are told in conversation are unbelievable. They’re just getting lost. If I could just wave a wand and just capture the memories… I have one man in his 90s and we talked about the day that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
“I look forward to [volunteering]! I get so much from it. I never I look at is I’m doing something wonderful… the chats you have, you couldn’t read about it! I know that I’m going to come back from my visits with more knowledge. It’s like going to the library. Every single visit is a history lesson.
People say that ‘aren’t you very good’- no, I’m grateful that they let me come in and share their stories! Look at the gift that you’re getting and it’s not going to cost you anything! You’re going back to school and you’re going to have so much fun in the meantime.”
This National Volunteering Week, we’re celebrating the diversity of volunteers who make Ireland what it is. No matter your age, race, abilities, or status, we honor your place in the community and the volunteering that you, uniquely, do.
Thank you to Margaret for sharing her story. Please email [email protected] if you’d like to share yours!
