Who are you?
My name’s Richard and I’m a volunteer befriender at Arnold Lodge.
What brought you to volunteering/a bit about you?
I’m keen to continue to be involved in Arnold Lodge and in mental health following retirement, having worked in the Unit almost 25 years. I was keen to give something back to Arnold Lodge and to continue a working week in retirement.
What impact do I hope to have?
I want to visit and befriend individuals who never receive visits, for as long as they would like befriending, and without imposing visits.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT5G_icDAJQ&w=560&h=315%5D
As with all our volunteers, Richard’s volunteering is really valued by patients and by staff. The excerpt below was from his nomination for “Volunteer of the Year” in the Nottinghamshire Healthcare OSCARS in 2018.
Richard regularly visits a patient at Arnold Lodge and this has really brought the patient out of his shell. This match has not only provided companionship for the patient but has also increased his confidence. The patient has now taken part in interviewing for Trust staff, and with Richard’s help has started to think about getting in contact with his estranged family