Talking Support
The talent behind Talking Support
challenges. They can be told all
Many of us take talking for granted, we might talk to our families in the morning, or colleagues during the day, our friends in the evenings, we may chat on the phone for hours, but what if you found yourself without anybody to talk to? What if talking to someone was the one thing you looked forward to most each week.
The world can become a lonely place if you are unable to interact with other people very much. Is that a voice in your head, or just your voice trying to fi nd an outlet? We provide a service that is invaluable to people who fi nd themselves in such circumstances. It’s called Talking Support, but could also be likened to a human life support. Talking Support is run by Chris Luff, and she has 21 people who work in teams of two. Half the volunteers are visually impaired themselves and they have over 60 clients that they call each week. These people are communicators, listeners, and smile bringers. The Talking Support volunteers who take on this role face up to many
sorts of things, they can be privy to a person’s dreams for the future, their sadness, their loneliness and also their frustrations and anger so often experienced with sight loss. Dealing with the rough side also brings the smooth, the laughter, the friendship, the trips down memory lane, and the wisdom of people that have lived fulfi lled and exciting lives. Bernard, a veteran Talking Support volunteer said: “I do a lot of voluntary work but feel that Talking Support is the most important thing I do.” They create and maintain friendships that go beyond just a phone call although the clients and volunteers never meet. The volunteers get to know their clients really well and develop a closeness, and many have said that being a “caller” has actually changed their own lives. To fi nd out more about this amazing service, whether you would like to receive calls or consider volunteering, please contact Chris direct on 01326 560419.
19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22