Kathleen talks about her passion for helping people after an amazing 25 years of volunteering for our Dementia Helpline.
"I first became involved with Alzheimer Scotland’s 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline in 1999, 10 years after it launched.
I’d been caring for my father who had dementia and I wanted to do something to help other people. I also worked as a lecturer in physiology so I always had a professional interest in how the brain works and how it can be affected, for example, by dementia.
"The Helpline training was thorough and once I finished the course I was ready to answer calls. I was a bit nervous at first but the volunteers all have great support, and there’s a panel of expert advisers who can help answer more complex enquiries.
"The calls were varied and some people were surprised that they could call the Helpline 24 hours a day and speak to a real person in complete confidentiality. The service was, and still is, especially important to those who perhaps don’t have anyone else to talk to, or who don’t know where else to find information about dementia.
"In the early years I had a lot of people calling for basic information – for example, asking what is dementia and how does it affect the brain. Back then there wasn’t public awareness of the illness, but thankfully that’s changed a lot and there are far more resources available now.
"People call the Helpline with all kinds of queries. It might be about practical things, such as coping with certain types of behaviour, helping them understand options around care homes or looking at what help is available in their community. It’s the volunteers’ job to discuss available options, to signpost people to places they can get more help and to be there with emotional support.
"If someone comes on the line and is very upset, we’re here to help them find a solution if possible and reassure them that we are here to talk any time.
Often I can hear the appreciation in the caller’s voice and it’s nice to be able to steer someone through a difficult time. It’s a rewarding role and, at the age of 92, I still get a lot out of it.
"We’re always looking for new volunteers and I’d encourage others to find out more about it. Shifts are quite flexible and once you’ve done the training you can work from home.
Thank you to Kathleen for sharing her story this International Volunteers Day.
"The Helpline is a vital resource and I think we have an important role to play, now and in the future.
• Anyone who needs support can contact Alzheimer Scotland’s 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline which is available seven days a week on 0808 303 3000.
• Find out more about volunteering for our Helpline here.