We’re taking an opportunity during #nationalvolunteerweek to thank our amazing volunteers at LGN. They really do go above and beyond – whether it’s taking our service users for trips out, helping with gardening tasks, or putting aside their time for a chat and a cup of tea every week. Our volunteers gave 11,500 hours of time in 2019, saving the NHS and local council no less than £200,000 in additional home from hospital costs, which shows just how important their support is. Unlike many of our surrounding Good Neighbours groups, most of our volunteers are young people aged 35 and under, with many volunteering around their uni hours or young children.
Over the years, our volunteers have been patient, resourceful and committed to helping our service users live fulfilling lives. One of our brilliant volunteers even went on a coach holiday trip to Haworth with her befriendee, so they could enjoy a 1940s celebration event together;
We had a lovely time!! and it was great for my befriendee to get out and see new places she hadn’t visited before. She has some great pics and hopefully memories too!
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One of the wonderful parts of befriending is facilitating matches between individuals from all walks of life. Sometimes our befrienders and befriendees have more in common than they thought! One volunteer discovered that her befriendee had actually volunteered for a befriending charity himself many years ago, which made her visits all the more special
Originally when I signed up; I thought I was doing it to give something back to the community; to give something to people that were lonely in the area. Maybe I am doing those things; but I’m not the only one. Michael does that for me- he always welcomes me with open arms every time we meet, and it’s great to have someone I can count on to meet every week.
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As the pandemic has brought into focus the realities of social isolation and living alone, it has also highlighted our community’s amazing capacity for generosity and action during a crisis. We are so grateful to work and live in a community full of inspirational volunteers; among them, volunteer and trustee Grantley, who has driven over 300 miles in the last 9 months to help us deliver our Meals on Wheels throughout the community.
We would like to thank all our past and current volunteers and trustees for their hard work and dedication, which has been helping us improve the lives of older people in our community for the last 6 years. May there be many more!