Real stories

Companion Calls volunteer – ‘My phone calls help a person with dementia feel less lonely’

My granny, who passed away last September, had dementia and I used to look after her when my grandad went out.

I was glad to be there for her, but it could be emotionally challenging as she could get quite distressed at times.

From this experience, I wrote a blog about being a young carer for Alzheimer’s Society. I was looking for a volunteering opportunity in a cause I was interested in when I found out about Companion Calls.

Preventing loneliness for people with dementia

I have been volunteering with Companion Calls weekly for almost a year now. The calls last about 40 minutes, and I have been with my current lady for about six months.

Most volunteers call a couple of people a week, but I chose to take on one person. 

People can be referred by a Dementia Adviser or they can refer themselves.

We talk about anything and everything. My lady, who has dementia, has a lot of health challenges, so she vents about that. And we talk about gardening, which she loves and the funny things her cats get up to.

Volunteer training and support

I had quite a lot of training for the role, from safeguarding to conversation topics and listening skills. 

It was very interesting and gave me an insight into how dementia affects people.

I enjoy supporting people and it is nice to meet other volunteers through our monthly Zoom meetings, where we share anything which has come up and listen to guest speakers.

When I’m not volunteering for Companion Calls, I look after my 18-year-old autistic brother, Iwork as a youth adviser for a charity which supports young people with autism, I am a volunteer befriender for Deaf Blind UK and Age UK NI, and I am studying information and communications technology at college – so I am quite busy!

Opportunity to connect

I think the calls reduce isolation and loneliness, and give people the chance to talk about whatever they need to. 

Most people have their family, but they don’t always want to bother them and they know we are here for them every week.

The calls give people company and the chance to open up.

Sometimes this can be quite challenging for volunteers, but it is important that they get the chance to do that, and we support them the best we can.

Volunteering with Companion Calls has given me a great opportunity to connect with different types of people and manage different situations, and I am a lot more confident now as a result.

Benefits of volunteering

It can be quite daunting making that first call if you’ve never done anything like this before, but my advice would be – just be yourself and keep an open mind, as everybody you talk to is different.

People with dementia can take longer to process things, so give them time, let them lead the conversation, and don’t be tempted to jump in too soon.

I look forward to my weekly calls so much. My lady is a good friend, and I get as much from the calls as she does.

Volunteering has helped me develop patience and listening skills. It is a great way to give back to my local community, and most of all, it is great fun!