Volunteering for a dementia lifeline

Cathy’s story

I’ve always been the kind of person who enjoys helping others, so volunteering for Alzheimer Scotland’s Freephone Dementia Helpline is a role that really suits me.

It’s very rewarding being able to support a cause that’s close to my heart, while also feeling like I’m supporting people affected by dementia.

My first experience of this condition was with my mum Mary who died of vascular dementia in 2017 aged 83. She was such a kind person who loved her family and her bingo.

As mum’s illness progressed, we were lucky she was in a very good care home and our family was well supported. But I know that a lot of people aren’t as fortunate and it can be a daunting journey, trying to find the right support and information.

Not long after mum’s diagnosis, two close friends were also diagnosed with dementia in their 50s, which came as a real shock. One friend has since died and my other friend now needs full-time care.

While you don’t need any experience of dementia to volunteer for the Helpline, I feel like what I’ve been through helps me to empathise even more with callers.

No two Helpline shifts are the same and you never know what the next call will bring, but the training is very thorough and prepares you for all eventualities. Often people are looking for practical information around financial entitlements or local services, but many simply want someone to listen.

An increasing number of callers seem to be at crisis point and don’t know where to turn. They can’t believe our Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. If we weren’t here to help then I’m not sure where many people would go.

One recent caller was caring for her husband alone and feeling very isolated. She really needed someone to talk to who could understand what she was going through. At the end of the call she said she was so grateful that I had listened to her and helped her find a more positive way forward, which is lovely to hear.

I get a lot of satisfaction from my work with the Helpline and I’d encourage others to volunteer. It can be nerve wracking at first but the training and support you receive are excellent, and the shifts are so flexible and easy to fit into your life.

The Helpline is more important now than ever, and together we can make sure no one faces dementia alone.