I have recently started volunteering at my local Dementia café. This café provides socialisation and a sense of community for people living with Dementia and their Carers.
As a Counsellor, I originally touched base with the café to let them know about my service. Jan, the founder of the café, was happy to meet with me and it was during that meeting that I asked her if she was taking on any more volunteers. I sweetened the deal by offering to bake a cake on the day (it always works).
So the following week, I started my volunteering gig.
I met many wonderful people and their Carers, along with the other volunteers. As the weeks passed, I have gotten to know who they are and they have started to get to know me.
I’ve noticed a few things.
The volunteers are happy. They are bright and joyful. Many are seniors themselves – but they have a twinkle in their eye and a laugh on their lips. They have an energy that isn’t present in most.
People let you into their lives. You start with a smile and they open their hearts. You begin having conversations that are meaningful. You start feeling a sense of purpose, that you’re doing higher good and making a contribution.
You can make an impact. Big or small. It doesn’t matter.
Last week, I spent part of the morning chatting to a gentleman about his wife and the role he plays as her Carer.
He talked to me about the loss he has experienced watching his once smart and vibrant wife become someone else. How she now needs him to help her shower, go to the toilet and give her directions to navigate the house they have lived in for over thirty years.
He told me how he sits next to her at the hairdressers each week while she gets her hair set so that she doesn’t get overwhelmed with anxiety.
His story is common and heartbreaking. Easily overwhelming. It leaves me with immense sadness for him and his lovely wife.
But it also gives me hope, reaffirms my faith in people and in unconditional love.
I walked away knowing that I am probably the only person he has discussed this with for a very long time. Hopefully, just by him talking, I was able to help relieve some of his burden for a few hours.
So, I will be back there next week. Doing the dishes, packing away chairs, helping the members do craft and exercises.
Because the reward I get is immeasurable. It allows me to get out of my head and my life and give back to someone else. It fills my cup.
I wish everyone would volunteer. It would create communities based on kindness and care, as well as give people a sense of self-worth that is severely lacking in our world today.
Just think about it. Think about the benefits you and your local community would gain.
As I said, it’s a completely selfish thing to do.
Ness x