Eight Years Ago, Aged 75 and Recently Retired, I Applied for a Paid Job with Age Concern

Rosa’s Story ...

Eight years ago, aged 75 and recently retired, I applied for a paid job with Age Concern Epsom & Ewell. Unfortunately a few days prior to the interview I fell and broke my ankle so was not able to attend! However, the lovely person in charge of recruitment invited me along to a ‘luncheon’ for people to find out about volunteering with Age Concern Epsom & Ewell. This was a fascinating experience where I was introduced to several people who all felt I would be ideal for one of their volunteer positions which was about to become vacant.

My office experience in recruitment would be invaluable they said so I was invited to join the team to run their Transport service. The job, though exciting, was an unpaid voluntary position but as my husband was still working I decided to give it a try!

That was the start of a wonderful part of my life. I loved the whole buzz of working in an environment which was totally based on making the lives of the elderly – especially those alone at home – much better. My contribution was to provide Transport formedical appointments and with lots of help and encouragement from my colleagues I manned that desk for the next 7 years. After 7 years a new computerised system was to be introduced and at 83 I felt that I should (reluctantly) hand over my job to a team of much more computer literate colleagues who could continue to run the desk with great expertise.

I dreaded the thought of life without volunteering for Age Concern as I’d made so many friends. I would miss that lovely camaraderie. Fortunately for me there was always a job I could do that used my people skills. I happily continued helping out clients with helpful advice and information and I’m still here.

8 years on and my life at home has changed immensely with a totally disabled husband. Volunteering offers a welcome break from my ongoing life as a Carer. Every Wednesday a lovely volunteer from Crossroads accompanies my husband meaning I am free to continue working for Age Concern. So I am a volunteer who benefits from a volunteer 

For anyone who feels they would like to volunteer for us I can assure you it would be a joy to contribute your own special ‘expertise’ to an organisation that brings help and support to the elderly while encouraging you to contribute something worthwhile to enhance your own life.

Age Concern Epsom & Ewell are a community charity supporting the older generation in the borough. We receive no funding and rely totally on donations, legacies and volunteers.

If you would like to find out about our volunteering roles with Age Concern Epsom & Ewell including driving, befriending, fundraising, event management, computer work and social support please get in touch.

We have volunteers from very different backgrounds; young and old, male and female, quiet or outgoing but their similarity is that they want to contribute in some way to our older generation in the borough.

Contact Liz Hope on 01372 732456 to find out more.

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