Volunteer who showed me that life really IS worth living

Earlier this year Ken Baker, 92, from just outside ipswich, was injured in a car accident and spent several months in hospital. His wife ann, whom he’d nursed through dementia, died while he was there and the great grandfather had to return to their home alone. that’s when he came under the wing of volunteer terry Demand, 65, a retired HMRC district manager.

KEN SAYS: When I came home after Ann died, I felt so low — we’d been married for 64 years, and after losing her, I wouldn’t have cared if I lived or died. That was when I met this bright chap, Terry. When I was in hospital, the Red Cross asked me if I needed help settling back at home. They sent Terry to visit me. I’d broken my ankle and hurt my neck in the accident, which made it difficult for me to get around the house.

Terry helped me out with practical tasks. He did anything and everything I asked — and more. Every time he came over, he cleaned the house without me asking. I am a very independent person — I like to cook my own dinners and get myself to bed — but at the time I was so grateful for the help. But it wasn’t just about the practical things. Terry helped me cope with losing Ann. I felt I could talk to him about how I was feeling. Because he was outside the family, it was easier for me to be open with him.

Every visit helped me feel better about life. Terry is brilliant. He makes you feel wanted, not a burden. Nothing was too much trouble. You couldn’t hope for better. He made life seem worth living again. TERRY SAYS: I still get butterflies the first time I meet people and after that it is so nice to know I’m helping to make their lives more enjoyable. My role was to support Ken’s transition from hospital to home — he had support from close family and the local church community, but he needed emotional support as he adjusted to life without his wife as well as help with cleaning.

Over a few weeks I got to know him very well, we built up such a good rapport. He is such a kind, welcoming man. When it came time to stop seeing him on a regular basis he gave me a thank you card with £20 in it.

I told him I’d donate that to the Red Cross and we both had tears in our eyes. It’s been brilliant to see the progress he has made.