Come help senior citizens spread their wings through social activities
People are being encouraged to help senior citizens spread their wings by volunteering at Bield’s housing developments in the Stirling area.
Allan Park House in Stirling, Greenacre Court, Bannockburn, and Strathallan Court, Bridge of Allan, are looking for volunteers to join their social activities team.
The team help to help make a difference to the lives of older people by supporting a host of activities. This can include helping out with group events or other activities such as befriending, gardening and IT support.
Jacqui Ogilvie, who has volunteered with Bield for more than 10 years, has been putting her IT skills to the test at Allan Park House.
Jacqui, who works full time, devotes a couple of hours each week to helping tenants improve their IT skills. Tenants at the development can now surf the internet, download audio books and listen to songs on YouTube thanks to her visits.
She said:“It’s almost like my extended family. I learn from them too. I’d like to be like them when I’m their age, to have their energy.”
Social activity volunteers at Strathallan Court in Bridge of Allan have also been supporting tenants in a variety of activities including carpet bowls, tea and toast gatherings and seasonal events, such as Hallowe’en bingo and Christmas parties.
Volunteer Janet Maybank said: “I enjoy giving up a little of my time to help out each week. It’s lovely to see tenants having fun and building friendships.”
At Greenacre Court in Bannockburn tenants at the development have been able to challenge themselves by learning how to watch programmes on Netflix and how to use Kindles - allowing them to read and catch up on their favourite shows in their free time.
Bield volunteer development worker Amy Telford said:“We’re very lucky to have such a fantastic team of volunteers. The support Bield volunteers provide is vital in reducing loneliness and isolation. By teaching, chatting and taking part in social activities, volunteers are helping older people to live fulfilling lives.
“We offer our volunteers training, support, the chance to learn new skills or develop new ones, and a great social experience. We’d love to hear from anyone who is interested.”
Last October Bield announced its intention to close 12 care homes in Falkirk, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Borders, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian by spring and early summer 2018, affecting 160 elderly people and around 200 care workers, and concentrate on providing ‘housing with care’rather than residential care homes.
Its services in Stirling, however, are not impacted by the move.
Volunteers for the local social activities team must be 16 years or over and the application deadline is Thursday, March 14. For more information visit: www. bield.co.uk/volunteering or call 0131 273 4020.