Barbara’s Story

Giving back to the community

Barbara, from Aston Clinton, knows from personal experience how vital companionship and respite support can be for people who are living with a life-limiting illness, and those around them. So when she heard about a new Supporting Hands service, she immediately volunteered and has been doing the role ever since. Here she explains what she enjoys about the role and why she would encourage other people to consider signing up.  

Barbara says:  

“When my husband was very ill, he was cared for at home by the Iain Rennie (as it was then) Hospice at Home team. His condition meant that he couldn’t be left alone at all. As his primary carer, this left me with little time to do anything for myself. So, when the nurses would visit and say ‘we’ll be here for about 40 minutes, why don’t you head out for a walk’ I was so grateful for that respite. 

 “Sadly, my husband died 17 years ago. But I’ve never forgotten what the care of the nurses, and their offer of respite, meant to me at that time. 

 “I have been volunteering with Iain Rennie (and now Rennie Grove Peace) for 15 years. I used to volunteer in the office and at fundraising events. In 2017 I heard in the office about a new service that was planned – called Supporting Hands. This would mean the nurses could spend more time with patients who required them for clinical needs and volunteers could take on the role of companionship and respite. 

 “I understood what a great idea it was and knew what a huge difference it would make to patients and their families. However, I did question whether I’d be able to do the role myself. I completed the training and I still wasn’t sure, but I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and give it a go anyway. I’m so glad I did! Seven years later I have supported countless people, and I still absolutely love the role.”

Providing companionship

 “At the moment I’m supporting two people – I see each of them every other week so it’s a once per week commitment for me. For many of the people I support, companionship is the thing they value the most. Some of them live alone and for one of the people I support it might be the only social visit they have in a week. It’s just a few hours with somebody who isn’t there to take their blood pressure or talk to them about medication and treatments – I’m there just for them.   

 “When you look past their illness and talk about other things, all the people I support are so interesting. I have learnt a lot from them. We often find we have an interest in common, and there is always something to talk about or a game of Scrabble to play together. 

 “When people are referred to the service they can request different types of support. It might be a companionship visit – either for somebody who lives alone, or to offer a carer some respite time – or it could be some practical help they need.   

 “I was once supporting a lady whose eyesight was failing. Through our chats I had found out that she used to love reading. So I offered to read to her and she was delighted. She had so many books! I would sit and read to her while her husband had a chance to go out and do something for himself.   

 “Other people have asked me to help with some light housework – it might be a bit of dusting and vacuuming, ironing, changing the bed or taking out the bins. We’re not there to do a full clean but just taking on some of these light practical tasks around the home can make someone’s week feel more manageable for them. 

 “Some of the people I support like to get out and about while they have someone to do that with. I’ve supported people in the past who have wanted to go out for a walk, or to a coffee shop, garden centre or get some shopping when they have felt up to it. I’ve also offered to drive people to hospital appointments when needed.   

 “I find it so rewarding to know that I’ve helped a family at such a difficult and bewildering time. I will sometimes bump into the family of someone I’ve supported – even if it was several years ago – and they will give me a big hug and thank me again for the support. That’s how I know I am making a difference.”