CACE – Frances: #BefriendingIs increasing my confidence and wellbeing
26th September 2021
CACE was initially founded in 1990 by a group of people who recognised the need to support older people in Cumbernauld and the surrounding areas. For over 30 years now, the charity has promoted the welfare of vulnerable, older people and their carers. They educate, train and work with people to improve quality of life in their community.
At CACE, we, like the rest of the world were tossed into the choppy seas of COVID 19 and restrictions to services. Within weeks it became apparent that we had a real challenge in how to continue to keep in touch with all of our existing service users and volunteers; we were receiving new referrals on a daily basis, and we didn’t have enough staff to make all the phone calls. Volunteers were asked if they would be willing to take on a few ‘check in’ and ‘befriending’ calls, thankfully with just a bit of help getting them trained and online, they were willing and able!
Lockdown brought many changes to CACE and how we support people, but not all change has been negative – Here is the story of a tentative befriending match and how a phone call made by our volunteer ‘Priya’ in December 2020, to our service user ‘Frances’, has now blossomed into a lovely friendship 18 months on.
During the pandemic these ladies fell into a pattern of weekly phone calls, with Frances looking forward to these calls as much as Priya. Conversation flowed easily, they found themselves talking about family, friends, shared interests and discussions about current issues, quizzes and recipes in our CACE Activity Packs.
Both ladies talked about the excitement of eventually getting to see each other, and they decided that they would try their hand at a video call using FaceTime. Priya supported Francis through the setup as Frances identified as having no IT skills. Once set up, it was a hugely enjoyable experience for them both, and Frances felt a sense of achievement at using the new technology.
At CACE we recognised the value in digital inclusion, and we launched a programme to encourage elderly and isolated people to try their hand at it. Priya came on board as ‘Digital Volunteer Befriender’, where she attended weekly online group training to build her own digital skills. After her training Priya felt confident enough to ask Francis if she was keen to try out more online activities and engagement. Priya was able to train Frances on setting up zoom and joining meetings.
This wonderfully matched befriender and befriendee have both upskilled their digital abilities and self-confidence; they now hold a zoom session once a week which can include, yoga, quizzes, and mindfulness relaxation which has benefited both their health and wellbeing. Priya said “Our best memory, was our first Zoom call, both just having a cuppa, laughing and managing to take my first zoom screen shot”. (As seen above)
Once restrictions had eased in August 2021, these ladies met in person for the first time in a café for coffee and chat, as genuine friends. Frances says, “Priya makes me feel so comfortable and relaxed, she is a great listener, easy to talk to and always asks if there is anything she can do to help me. Having a Befriender, and learning new skills has increased my confidence and wellbeing”.
By: CACE
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