Cashious and Gill
Gill was referred to the Wellbeing Collaborative after spending time in hospital. Gill had been dealing with a lot at home caring for her husband and she started to feel very overwhelmed, leading to difficulty with her mental health and feeling extremely low. After Gill came home from hospital, the Wellbeing Collaborative signposted her to support with cleaning, gardening, and getting out of the house regularly so she could return to her normal lifestyle. A Wellbeing Buddy was also offered to Gill.
Wellbeing Buddies are trained volunteers who call people every week for 12 weeks offering a friendly chat and a listening ear. These calls help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness and provide people with knowledge about organisations in their local community that can help them live well at home.
Wellbeing Buddy Cashious
Gill was matched with one of our volunteer Wellbeing Buddies, Cashious. Cashious told us that one of the reasons she joined the Wellbeing Collaborative is that she had a personal experience of being “the beneficiary of such kindness” which had “fuelled her in wanting to give back” to her local community.
In preparation for the calls, Cashious underwent volunteer training she found “thorough, precise and interactive” which boosted her confidence before starting. Cashious is a kind, empathetic and caring person, all of which she brought to her calls as a volunteer.
The Wellbeing Buddy calls
When Gill and Cashious had their first call, Gill felt as though they had a “beautiful connection and got on like a house on fire” which made her look forward to each phone call.
Gill said “Cashious said the right things at the right time, and it lifted me up so much. I found my mood was better after our conversations and the whole day was set after we chatted. We were able to talk about anything and everything which is just what I needed”.
Both Gill and Cashious told us that the experience was “beautiful and fulfilling”, leaving them both greatly impacted even after the calls had drawn to a close. Their lovely relationship developed over the phone, with them both enjoying the calls and sharing “endless laughter and stories”.
Cashious and Gill had faith in common, which was a “really powerful commonality” and the foundation for much of their discussions. They both had a passion for healing and positivity which, when Gill was finding things difficult at home, helped her to feel peace in sharing this.
“Cashious has been such a blessing at such a difficult time”, Gill told us, “She left me with peace, power, knowledge, support and the ability to cope with things I wouldn’t have been able to before”. The Wellbeing Collaborative’s ethos, helping people to live well at home, was brought to life in their calls as Cashious had helped Gill with “brilliant practical advice and support” that helped her even after her calls had ended.
A big subject in Gill’s life was hoarding, and her struggles keeping on top of it. Gill said “Cashious didn’t ever judge me or put pressure on me, which helped me to open up more” and that she never interfered, but instead just listened, understood and empathised.
One of many Wellbeing Buddy matches that have been successful, Cashious and Gill show us that connection and conversation can be important to wellbeing.
Gill explained that a Wellbeing Buddy can help with “anything you are struggling with, physical or emotional” and that the calls help you process difficult things in your life.
Gill told us “You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to; it is just reassuring to have someone who cares call you each week” and that if you have the chance of having a buddy, you should go for it!”
Wellbeing Buddy’s have made an incredible difference to people’s lives. We are currently recruiting if you would like to be a volunteer.
We can also help you to access the Wellbeing Buddy service. Come to an Information Station to find out how you could benefit from a Wellbeing Buddy or speak to the professional you are working with to be referred directly.
