Volunteer Support Enhances Independence for Elderly Residents

Great-grandmother Barbara Eden expressed a sense of “freedom” while standing in her doorway with her shopping trolley. She described it as a “wonderful feeling” to be able to shop independently, attributing this newfound ability to the support system provided by volunteer drivers that allows her to leave her home. The 82-year-old Mrs. Eden was directed to the Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service in Nottinghamshire by a healthcare professional. “Before that I was in 24/7,” she stated, adding, “I never got out the house.” Mrs. Eden, a resident of West Bridgford in Nottinghamshire, explained that she had previously depended on family members for transportation to appointments and for shopping trips. However, their demanding schedules often made this arrangement unfeasible. Subsequently, she connected with volunteers from the Rushcliffe community service. These volunteers assist in transporting elderly and vulnerable individuals within the locality to appointments and stores, in addition to providing companionship. Mrs. Eden commented, “It makes me feel so much better when I can go out that door and get a bit of fresh air in my lungs.” During the three and a half years she has utilized the transport service, she noted that some of the volunteers have also become her friends. She remarked, “The drivers are really friendly and they’re always talking to you. It’s really, really nice.” “I appreciate it very much, I really do, because without it I wouldn’t get out,” she affirmed. Tony Bray, residing in Gamston, Nottinghamshire, continues to miss driving, having ceased two and a half years prior. He now uses the service’s minibus for his travel, a service he has characterized as “fantastic.” He stated, “The drivers and their assistance are so wonderful and the camaraderie of our group on this bus is terrific.” Paul Turnbull chose to become a volunteer driver upon his retirement. He explained, “I was in the very fortunate position of being able to retire early and I didn’t want to sit at home watching daytime TV and I enjoy driving – so it’s perfect.” The 62-year-old mentioned that beyond “doing some good,” he also benefits personally from the role. He elaborated, “From a purely selfish point of view, you get to meet some fascinating people who’ve got great stories to tell.” “Sometimes I wish the drives were a little bit longer to be honest,” he added. He further stated, “I like to think that when I’m their age in their position, somebody will be there for me as well.” Carolyn Perry, chief executive of the Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service, expressed her hope that this would indeed be the case. She affirmed, “Our volunteers are vital to our service.” “We have over 200 volunteers who support our operations and that’s our volunteer drivers, our befrienders, our office volunteers, who are absolutely the lifeblood of our organisation,” she detailed. She also noted that the service is “always looking for volunteers,” specifically “People that want to contribute, people that want to make a difference to somebody else’s life.”