Welcome to my first entry.
Indecare UK is a care company who's main aim is to promote independent living for older people. Before we get into the main portion of the post, allow me to introduce myself and provide a little background about why this matters to me.
When I was born, my parents were well into their 40s and I was an unexpected surprise. The street I grew up on contained a couple of children and mostly older people. The mentality of those lovely folk, coupled with my older parents meant I spent a lot of time experiencing the issues faced by the older members of our community. I also remember the bread van, milk man and pop man visiting our street, but that is a story for another time.
Sadly, I never got to meet my grandparents, but I had an entire street of adopted grandparents and friends who regaled me with tales of their own childhoods and I was happy to sit and listen. My next door neighbour was a lovely lady called Muriel and my mum would make an extra portion of dinner each night and we would take it to her. Every Easter I would make a basket out of card and fill it full of chocolate eggs for her. In reality they looked like typical child-like creations but I have always loved making things and the appreciation was immense. She was there when I took my first steps, and she watched me grow up.
Indecare UK is a care company who's main aim is to promote independent living for older people. Before we get into the main portion of the post, allow me to introduce myself and provide a little background about why this matters to me.
When I was born, my parents were well into their 40s and I was an unexpected surprise. The street I grew up on contained a couple of children and mostly older people. The mentality of those lovely folk, coupled with my older parents meant I spent a lot of time experiencing the issues faced by the older members of our community. I also remember the bread van, milk man and pop man visiting our street, but that is a story for another time.
Sadly, I never got to meet my grandparents, but I had an entire street of adopted grandparents and friends who regaled me with tales of their own childhoods and I was happy to sit and listen. My next door neighbour was a lovely lady called Muriel and my mum would make an extra portion of dinner each night and we would take it to her. Every Easter I would make a basket out of card and fill it full of chocolate eggs for her. In reality they looked like typical child-like creations but I have always loved making things and the appreciation was immense. She was there when I took my first steps, and she watched me grow up.
Tiny Gemma
Murial is in the middle and I am on her left
Years passed, and sadly Muriel is no longer with us. I missed having her to chat to, and one day I learned that you can be a volunteer befriender and visit people in their homes for a chat. For a few years I visited people, and after I moved I decided I wanted to do the same in my new area.
The charity I volunteer for is called Independent Age, and I have a wonderful supervisor there who is genuinely one of the loveliest people I have ever met. Being a volunteer visitor is easily one of the most rewarding things I have ever had the pleasure of doing and I have met some truly exceptional people I will never forget.
As part of my roles at IA, I was tasked with introducing the charity to my surrounding area. During on of my mass emailing sessions I contacted a local branch of the Women's Institute and we were invited to speak at their meeting to discuss their resolutions for the upcoming year. It was a choice between tackling loneliness and microplastics. My supervisor and I talked about Independent Age in front of around 600 members. If you haven't seen any of IA's videos I highly recommend you take a look here. They are extremely emotive and moving.
The WI chose tackling loneliness as their resolution and we had an amazing time talking to members before and after our presentation. Independent Age has a wealth of information booklets and leaflets that cover a broad range of subjects from benefits to bereavement and they can be ordered free of charge here. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people as a result of my work with them. All volunteer visitors are DRB checked and have training in adult safeguarding to ensure the safety of all parties involved.
My role with Independent Age has fueled a desire in me to keep fighting so people can remain independent and live life their way. Indecare UK was born from that desire. It will be a care service that encourages participation in society, a taxi service, a friendship role and a teacher all in a handy one-stop shop.
Whether it's swimming, a trip to the hairdresser, the theater or to the local supermarket, Indecare will be able to transport you there and back safely while providing an easy, laid back pace that never feels rushed. The second part of Indecare UK is to introduce people to technology, again it doesn't matter if it's resetting the oven clock or learning how to use a tablet to communicate with friends and family. No one should feel left behind in this age of technology. Lessons will be given at your time and pace, working towards whatever goals you would like to achieve.
I hope that with funding, time and energy that Indecare UK will flourish and become a standard in looking after the interests of the older members of our society.
Comments
Post a Comment