As part of annual Stroke Awareness month, we focus on an outstanding local charity with a mission to improve the lives of adults who have experienced a stroke, and their families, across the borough, and the crucial role played by its volunteers.

Strokes can lead to long term health problems and require lengthy periods of rehabilitation and support for those affected. And, for the past thirty years, the iCARE Day Centre in Orpington has been responding to this need.

Able to accommodate twenty people a day, four days a week; the centre provides a welcoming and supportive environment where stroke survivors can socialise, build friendships and regain their independence, whilst also offering family carers a chance for respite. A range of tailored activities and therapies are also offered; all aimed at helping improve client’s mobility, communication skills and well-being. These include physiotherapy as well as speech and cognitive therapies.

Tracey Parry, iCARE Centre Manager explained how the centre is able to help those affected:

“People who have experienced a stroke can become isolated, so the social interaction within the group each day is an important component of rehabilitation. Clients are able to share experiences and find mutual support and friendship. Strokes affect everyone differently, we therefore offer a client centred approach, identifying the needs of each individual.”  

As with many charities, volunteers play a key role in the successful running of the centre, as Tracey told us:

“Volunteers are very important to iCARE. Volunteers support clients on a one to one basis and in small groups throughout the week. Volunteers bring new experiences, interests and hobbies to share with the clients.”

The charity is always keen to welcome new volunteer recruits and as Tracey explained, there are variety of opportunities on offer, giving volunteers the chance to do something worthwhile, whilst gaining experience as part of the team:

“Volunteers can support clients within the centre, offering one to one time with individuals or in small groups.  Helping clients with many different activities, including word games, quizzes, arts and crafts, physical activities. Other volunteering opportunities include becoming a member of the fundraising committee, undertaking light behind the scenes administration tasks, or attending external awareness and fundraising events.” 

As for the skills needed to be an iCARE volunteer? Tracey had this to say: 

“No skills required. Friendly, kind, a good listener and willing to be challenged at scrabble!” 

Jane Raynes joined iCARE as a Day Centre Volunteer in 2007, following her retirement from teaching. Her role involves interacting with clients, helping with speech therapy and word activities as well as organising a weekly quiz. She also helps with catering duties such as serving lunch and refreshments to clients. She explained what she enjoys most about her role:

“The friendly interaction of the clients with each other and the friendliness and professionalism of the staff and volunteers with clients and each other.”

And to anyone thinking of getting involved as a volunteer? Jane has this message:

“Step outside your comfort zone and give it a go!”

Day centres are an important community resource, providing older people with places to socialise, build friendships and maintain their independence.

The Saxon Day Centre in Orpington (run by Age Concern Orpington & District) is one of two mainstream day centres operating in the borough. It caters for elderly clients, including those with early-stage dementia who are in need of a break from their home environment, or whose carers need a day of respite. The centre is open on weekdays and currently has capacity for sixty clients per day. It also offers a wide range of creative and physical activities, all aimed at supporting the mental and physical well-being of its clients.

The successful running of the centre relies on the dedication of its team of volunteers who work across various roles, from catering, to leading activities. And, as Nicole Shilling - Saxon Day Centre Manager explained, the charity is always keen to attract new volunteers with diverse skill sets:

“We’re looking for people who might be interested in helping with things like marketing and promoting the day centre and the other services. And we’re looking for somebody or several volunteers who might be interested perhaps in helping us with fundraising. Because we’re a charity, obviously we do a lot of fundraising, we’ve lost a huge amount of money over the last couple of years with COVID and the closures. Our income is purely generated from clients attending the Day Centre, so all the time we were closed we didn’t have an income and obviously when we reopened with fifteen clients, we only had funding from fifteen people attending. Our break even point is probably thirty five people a day.”

Volunteering for the Saxon Day Centre would suit someone who is outgoing, adaptable and, more importantly, shares a commitment to the charity’s mission to provide high quality, dignified care to elderly clients. So, what kind of experience can volunteers expect? Nicole had this to say:

“It really depends on what they want to do in a volunteering capacity but most people find it extremely rewarding. Whether that’s working on a one to one basis with a particular client with specific needs, or whether that’s doing an activity? The staff are very welcoming, it’s quite a social environment. It’s not clinical or anything like that . . . very often it’s very raucous and loud because people are laughing, they’re playing games, they’ll have sing along's, they do exercises and obviously the volunteers join in all of those things.”

John Li is a volunteer at the Saxon Day Centre and told us what he enjoys most about it:

“I enjoy meeting and chatting with the clients and other volunteers. Knowing that I have contributed in some way to a necessary service in the community also gives me much happiness.”

As for advice to the would-be volunteer, John had this to say:

“I would tell them not to hesitate and join the team. I can’t think of a better charity to help. We are all getting older, elderly and dementia care services are severely lacking in the community and more media exposure is needed to tell the public how we need additional support for the elderly.

Everyday, volunteers across the borough are making a positive difference within our communities and transforming lives.  Saxon Day Centre has a number of volunteering opportunities that you could get involved in.  Click on the links to read the full role description, and how you can apply - Activities Volunteer, Fundraising Volunteer, Kitchen Assistant, Marketing Volunteer, and One to One Companions.

This week, we focus on an organisation working to combat loneliness and promote well-being among older people, simply by providing a good hearty meal and a place to meet.

The Bromley based Silver Lunch Club (run by the charity Ageing well in Lewisham) serves up a weekly hot lunch with a side ordering of games, gentle exercise and guest speakers; all aimed at enhancing the quality of life of vulnerable older people in the community.

The Club has been running for nearly two years and as Project Coordinator, Winnie Carlson explains, it provides an important and vibrant social hub for its members:

“Loneliness can have serious health impacts for older people, including increased mortality rates, cognitive decline, and depression. We aim to reduce isolation and enhance the mental and physical well-being of members through activities that encourage social interaction, mobility and creativity. Our Silver Lunch Club offers a freshly cooked hot meal alongside games, seated exercise, entertainment, and guest speakers on topics relevant to older people. It is a friendly and welcoming group and many of our members say they look forward to it every week.”

As with many charity projects, the successful running of the Silver Lunch Club relies on the commitment and enthusiasm of a small team of volunteers, as Winnie told us:

“Ageing Well in Lewisham could not function without the help of our valuable volunteers, who assist at our groups and mingle with our members. Not only do our volunteers provide essential hands-on assistance with tasks that need doing, they also bond with the members and add to the personalities of our groups.”

Volunteers can expect to work across a variety of roles, from helping with catering and  socialising with members, to calling the occasional game of Bingo! The Club also provides opportunities for them to develop skills and experience as Winnie explained. 

“Ageing Well has a close relationship with our volunteers. We want them to be fulfilled and to gain meaningful experience. We offer training when possible in areas related to the work our charity does.”

Jacky Dempsey has been volunteering for the charity for over a year. She told us why she decided to get involved:

“I wanted to be a volunteer to get experience and help people who otherwise would be by themselves. Also to gain knowledge for my ongoing training as a Referral Trainer, to help people with health conditions.”

Volunteering for the project has enabled Jacky to apply her outside training and to gain valuable practical experience, through the leading of gentle exercise sessions for members and practicing teaching techniques, as she works towards further qualifications. She told us what she enjoys most about her role:

“We always have a good laugh and I feel close to members. I find it rewarding to help in the community. Ageing Well in Lewisham really does go above and beyond to bring joy to members.”

The Club is always keen to hear from would-be volunteers who are outgoing and adaptable with great communication skills. Importantly they should also share a commitment to the charity’s ethos of promoting the rights, equality, dignity, opportunity and inclusion of older people from diverse backgrounds. As Jacky explains there are many good reasons to get involved:

“The benefits are being with nice people, the social side and gaining experience. Since I became a volunteer I have grown in confidence. I have enjoyed learning from other volunteers and chatting to our members.”

As for advice to would-be volunteers, Jacky had this to say:

“I would really recommend the experience as it is so rewarding. I have made friends and it's nice to see members happy and enjoying themselves.”

Visit Ageing Well in Lewisham website for more information about their services.