TO support Active and In Touch’s Above and Beyond Fundraising Appeal, volunteer Anthony Forsyth has shared his experience as a befriender for the charity.
Anthony discovered Active and In Touch when he was looking for a volunteer role after he found he had time on his hands.
“I wanted to do something beneficial for both myself and somebody else,” explained Anthony speaking to Frome Times. “Especially after the pandemic, I thought it was a really pertinent thing to do because of the number of people feeling lonely and isolated after Covid.”
Since January this year, Anthony has been meeting up once a week with a local person who contacted the charity – which seeks to alleviate loneliness and isolation in Frome – asking for support.
“I hang out with this person once a week,” said Anthony. “We spend time together, which might be going out for a coffee, helping her do some shopping, or helping her declutter her flat. Whatever it is she wants to do, and she thinks I can help her with.
“It’s been wonderful spending time together; we are now genuine friends – we enjoy each other’s company. And it’s felt great to be helping someone when they are in need.
“She said the other day, ‘life is easier when you are around,’ or ‘life works when you are around,’ something like that. So, I think for her, it’s been a boost to her confidence, giving her the feeling that she can get involved in the community again – and she has now gone on to become a volunteer befriender for Active and In Touch too!”
About why people interested in volunteering should consider signing up to help Active and In Touch as a befriender, Anthony said, “I would emphasise the reciprocal nature of the relationship – Active and In Touch try really hard to match you with someone that they feel will be a really good fit for you. And because of that, you can develop close relationships – it’s enriching for them and for you. It really is a two-way relationship.
“The charity has a real shortage of volunteers – there are more people feeling lonely and isolated in Frome than there are befrienders. So if you are somebody who is thinking about doing this – and they only ask for an hour minimum a week – and if you are willing, I would strongly urge you to volunteer for Active and In Touch, as they are in desperate need of support.”
