To be a care home volunteer you need to 'love people'

Daphne Smith has been volunteering at Paternoster House care home run by the Orders of St John Care Trust for ten years.

The not for profit care provider provides care in 68 care homes as well as a domiciliary care service in 14 extra care housing schemes across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Daphne, aged 73, first got involved with the care home in Cirencester when her mother-in-law was a resident there. She and her husband got to know the other residents and used to chat to them and play cards with them.

Following the death of her mother-in-law, both Daphne and her husband continued to visit and eventually became part of the volunteer team.

Her husband has had to give up volunteering due to ill health but Daphne still gives up a large part of her week, helping out at the home on four or five days a week.

“I assist with any activities if the activities co-ordinator needs help or gardening in the front of the home. I have also taken on the responsibility for the front garden. I run an afternoon bingo session every Tuesday and I also organise and run the knit and natter group on Thursdays. I help with the Mind song sessions and am responsible for organising the gifts and goods brought in for fundraising both at Paternoster House and within the community,” she said.

Daphne also helps out if needed with any excursions.

She added: “I would highly recommend volunteering at a care home to anyone who loves people. I enjoy the interaction with residents, families, friends, staff and everyone who is involved with the home and love being part of the team.

“To be a volunteer at a care home, you need to have patience and must be able to get on with people. If you have a partner, they do need to be supportive. My husband is no longer able to take such an active part in volunteering at Paternoster House due to poor health but supports me totally in the hours I spend here.”

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