As the country celebrates Volunteers Week (1-7 June) a Cumbrian volunteer shares how supporting others helps improve her own life and wellbeing.
While COVID restrictions may have changed the way Eileen Lewis has been able to volunteer in the past 12 months, she is looking forward to getting back to offering her Sitting Service, to give unpaid Carers a couple of hours break, while she sits with their loved one.
Eileen started as a volunteer for Eden Carers in 2016, after going with her friend to a meeting for people living with Parkinson’s diseases and hearing a member of Eden Carers talking about the work of the organisation. She discovered more than 180 young Carers get support from Eden Carers, and how she could help an unpaid Carer take a short break from their caring responsibilities.
Eileen said: “I was so shocked about how many young people are having to care for their siblings or parents before going to school. I thought it was dreadful how they don’t know anything else other than caring for others, and how they must grow up so quickly and can’t enjoy their childhood.
“And then I discovered how many people across Cumbria are isolated, caring 24/7 for loved ones. I wanted to help, and I volunteered to be part of the Eden Carers’ ‘Sitting Service’. Two hours is nothing to give to help, yet it means everything to someone who is caring every hour or every day.
“I get so much from volunteering for the ‘Sitting Service’. You build up a relationship, and in my case a real friendship.
“Since COVID restrictions I have not been able to go and provide the ‘Sitting Service’, which has been tough on their Carer. However, through ‘Companionship Calls’ I have been able to keep in touch with the Carer. It is a telephone call where they can just talk about anything they want. It breaks the isolation of being in the house, caring every day, all day. And for me, I enjoy talking to people, and I get so much from volunteering.
“Before I started, I lost my mother, who had dementia. When she was diagnosed, I read and researched so much about the condition. My mother was my training for my volunteering. The person I sit with has dementia, and my personal experience helps me make them feel comfortable with me, and that means I can give their Carers a couple of hours for themselves – and we have become great friends.”
Sue Munro, from the Eden Carers Team said: “We make the process of becoming a volunteer as easy as possible, providing the training and support, without any other role other than supporting a Carer.
“We welcome volunteers, if they want to give two hours a months of their time or several hours a week. Every hour is so important and welcomed by our unpaid Carers.
“To become a volunteer you just have a short application form to complete, a DBS check and provide two references. We provide individual training, and we have a one-to-one session. Depending on the experience of the volunteer we provide the support they need to feel confident about sitting with a person who needs the care. People come to volunteering from all different routes – people who have been Carers themselves, or who enjoy chatting and helping others.
“There are no caring duties, it is about companionship and the rest bite they provide for the unpaid Carer. And you don’t have to give two hours every week, it can be ad hoc.
“We arrange a meeting with the cared for and their Carer, as either or both can be nervous about a stranger coming into their home – however once they have got to know each other, the Sitting service beings.
“We have had Carers say the break they get has saved their lives, and one Carer said she just enjoyed sitting down, on her settee and enjoying a couple of hours to herself.
“It has been very difficult for unpaid Carers this year. As well as the volunteering services stopping, professional support has also been put on hold. However, we have been able to provide ‘Walking Sits’ for those who are mobile and have the awareness to understand social distancing.
“This Volunteers Week and next week’s Carers Week (7-13 June) we would like to invite people to join us as volunteers. We would welcome more men to join our Sitting Service which we hope to resume from 21 June when COVID restrictions are hopefully eased. For many men who are cared for, they would benefit from male companionship.
“Whatever your age or gender, there is a cared for person who would benefit from you giving a couple of hours of your time – and there’s no admin or meetings to attend, it’s all about the companionship.”
And from 21 June, carers organisations cross Cumbria are hoping to reintroduce their Carer Hubs where Carers can meet for a coffee and chat, as well as sitting services.
Now is the ideal time to get in touch so you will be ready to support unpaid Carers as soon as COVID restrictions are eased. To become a volunteer, contact your local Carers organisation.
You can contact them by emailing or calling their office:
Carer Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
Eden Carers Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
