'These sessions are so important for people' – The day centre volunteers who are making a difference
“We really enjoy hearing all the interesting stories from the older people,” says Fran Kneale who has been a day centre volunteer for seven years.
“And the teamwork here between the volunteers in brilliant and makes it great fun for everyone.”
The day centre – based at Monkmoor Court, a retirement housing complex to the east of Oswestry's town centre – is one of several run by Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin across the county.
Reg Lacey, Welfare Services Development Officer for the charity, said: “Yeah, we have a great team of volunteers here, but we’re always keen to welcome more. If we have a few more volunteers it allows for greater flexibility, for instance if people are away on holiday and we need cover. So we would really love to hear from anyone wishing to join us.”
As she is busy getting cups and saucers ready in the kitchen Fran says: “These sessions are so important for people, people who might otherwise be lonely. You know that older people living alone can almost become invisible so it’s crucial to have something like this. It’s a bit like you or I meeting friends for coffee. It’s that social contact.”
A retired nurse, Fran and her husband moved from Ireland to Shropshire to be nearer their grown-up children, one now a barrister, the other a business owner.
“The day centre is great. We often have entertainment like we have today, we have people come along and read stories, or we have exercise classes.”
On this particular occasion, regulars were treated to a fine theatrical performance – a one-woman show presented by storyteller Alison Utting, who took on the persona of the famous nurse Agnus Hunt – the co-founder of the world-renowned orthopaedic hospital at Oswestry.
Another volunteer at the day centre is Lynn Morgan who moved from Kidderminster to Oswestry in November 2017.
“We have three daughters, all of whom ended up living in St Martin’s, just north of Oswestry. And they started producing grandchildren and so we wanted to be closer to them.”
One of life’s do-ers, Lynn, in addition to volunteering at the day centre, is secretary of the local WI, helps with the production of the village life magazine, and shares her husband’s interest in cars – he has a Morgan vintage car while Lynn has a 22-year-old Mazda.
Sue Fawn has been volunteering there for two years, and said: “When we moved to the area, I was looking for something, and actually it was Reg’s wife – she and I are friends – who recommended this.
“I have done hospital volunteering before. I’ve been retired for ten years. And I really enjoy this.”
Sue and her husband Graham also enjoy seeing their grandchildren as well as travelling and holidays.
“I suppose the thing about the day centre is that I’ve always enjoyed meeting people and hearing the stories they tell. I like getting to know these people. I’d recommend it to anybody.”
One of those people that Sue and the other volunteers have enjoyed getting to know is 77-year-old widow Audrey Lewis, who said: “I’ve been coming here now for a year and it’s lovely. We do all sorts of things: bingo, cards, quizzes, dot-to-dot, wordsearches, we sometimes have entertainment like today, we have a proper lunch – today it’s fish and chips. And we have a pudding.”
Audrey delights in explaining she was married in 1965 to a man called Dennis.
“He was known as Dennis the Menace,” she laughs. “We have one daughter and three sons.”
Audrey loves reading – mainly social history – and buys her books from charity shops.
“I get them from the hospice shop or the heart foundation shop," she said "and then when I’ve read them, I take them back so they can sell them again."
People can find out more about the day centre by calling 01743 233123, emailing [email protected] or by visiting the website.