Wendy’s Story – In-person befriending service volunteer
Wendy Flack from Barway near Ely, is a Racing Welfare volunteer who has been taking part in the ‘In-person Befriender’ service pilot, aimed at combatting loneliness and social isolation. Having received positive feedback from all of those involved in the pilot, Racing Welfare will now look to roll out the service across the country.
Wendy has a love of horses and racing and was involved in the re-training of racehorses – an unfortunate bad accident sadly forced her to stop the activity. Living locally to Newmarket, semi-retired and keen to do some charitable work to support her local community, Wendy got in touch with Racing Welfare to offer her time to support others.
Wendy said: “I got in touch with Racing Welfare and Katie [Volunteer Co-ordinator] told me about the In-person Befriender service which interested me as I knew I could fit it around my other commitments. We talked about who could benefit from the support, and I was matched with someone with similar interests.
“I go and visit the beneficiary in-person at their Racing Welfare accommodation, and we chat about lots of things, but mainly it’s horses and horseracing. If I’ve been racing recently when I visit, I’ll take the racecard along and we’ll talk about the course and the results. He struggles to leave his accommodation because of his health, so it’s great that the service is there to offer company and a friendly face.
“I’m just so surprised at how much he looks forward to seeing me. It’s quite humbling as I just chatter and listen to him for a maximum of an hour each time I visit. I enjoy hearing all about his racing knowledge both historic and also up-to-date information with regard to Newmarket.”
I visited recently and found him sitting in a chair in the hallway enjoying the sunshine so we just sat there for a while enjoying the warmth– we get on so well so I just find it so easy to chat to him.
Speaking about encouraging others to volunteer for Racing Welfare, Wendy said: “I just think it’s nice to put something back. Society sometimes seems to be all about getting as much as you can from anything, and it is very rewarding to feel you perhaps are helping in a small way and doing something for someone else. Also, for me personally, I have experienced complete strangers being very kind to one of my sons when he was taken ill and in Australia at the time with no family or friends around him, and I was very grateful for their help and kindness. Volunteering specifically for Racing Welfare has been rewarding as you do feel appreciated and supported.”
For any beneficiary thinking of using the in-person befriending service, Wendy gave the following advice: “I would suggest they meet the volunteer with someone else they know and just have a very informal little chat to see if they get on and then take it from there. I would reassure them that they are always in control and can always say no to a visit any time they do not feel up to it. The volunteer can phone to check if it’s convenient and they can suggest days or times which may suit better” she added.
Find out more about Racing Welfare’s In-Person befriending or Check-in and Chat here: