As part of Time to Talk Day, we had a chat with Marie (83) from Durham who uses our friends on the phone service Silver Talk.
Why did you decide to use Silver Talk?
Before I found out about Silver Talk, I didn’t get out very much and I didn’t feel well. I’ve lived on my own for the last twenty years after my husband passed away.
Recently, because of the pandemic, I was too scared to go out. It made me so low. I didn't want to get out of bed or comb hair. I didn’t want to be here. I went to see the doctor and asked her why I felt this way. She said that I have anxiety and suggested a few ways I could try and manage it. One of those things was trying Silver Talk and she referred me to the service. I thought I would give it a go and got in touch with them to see how they could help.
What are your calls like?
I get a call every Wednesday at 11am from a lovely lady called Katherine. The calls last 30 minutes and we talk about anything and everything. I talk about my mum and where I used to live in Burnopfield. She always checks if I’m doing okay.
I have to apologise to Katherine as I can talk too much, but she says "Well, that’s what I’m here for.” It’s helped. The time flies by.
What do you like about talking to Katherine?
It's like I’ve known her for years.
She’s clever – she tells me about how she tells me about how she crochets, knits and sews, I love to talk to her about that. She's learned to make clothes by watching videos on the internet – I didn’t know you could do that, it’s so impressive.
Katherine is always there to help. She even gave me a call at Christmas to have a chat. I started to cry, I couldn’t believe it because no one has done that for me in a long time.
How do the calls make you feel?
My parents used to say ‘Everything happens for a reason” and that's how I found my way to Silver Talk. It’s a good service. I 'm better after I’ve spoken to Katherine. She encourages me to get out a bit more and reminds me to ring the doctors if I’m not feeling well.
It’s even given me the confidence to start doing more. I get up in the morning and I actually want to go out. I go to the shops a few times a week now. I sometimes run into people I used to know and we start talking too.
Why is it good for people to talk?
It’s always better to talk. I always apologise to people for talking too much. I do it because I don’t get see people very often. I can go for days without speaking to anybody. You need to take those opportunities when you can. It makes you feel better.
I’ve got problems with my eyes, my hearing and I can’t move around much, but I’m still a good talker.
Katherine, Marie’s Silver Talk volunteer, said: “I enjoy being able to cheer her up with something as simple as a phone call from a stranger. Although, I'm definitely not a stranger any more."
Would you like to volunteer for Silver Talk?
If you would like to volunteer for Silver Talk, please visit our volunteer's page. If you know someone who would enjoy this service, please visit our Silver Talk page to find out more.
Time to Talk Day
Time to Talk Day took place on 2 February. It’s the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
As part of Time to Talk Day, we had a chat with Marie (83) from Durham who uses our friends on the phone service Silver Talk.
Why did you decide to use Silver Talk?
Before I found out about Silver Talk, I didn’t get out very much and I didn’t feel well. I’ve lived on my own for the last twenty years after my husband passed away.
Recently, because of the pandemic, I was too scared to go out. It made me so low. I didn't want to get out of bed or comb hair. I didn’t want to be here. I went to see the doctor and asked her why I felt this way. She said that I have anxiety and suggested a few ways I could try and manage it. One of those things was trying Silver Talk and she referred me to the service. I thought I would give it a go and got in touch with them to see how they could help.
What are your calls like?
I get a call every Wednesday at 11am from a lovely lady called Katherine. The calls last 30 minutes and we talk about anything and everything. I talk about my mum and where I used to live in Burnopfield. She always checks if I’m doing okay.
I have to apologise to Katherine as I can talk too much, but she says "Well, that’s what I’m here for.” It’s helped. The time flies by.
What do you like about talking to Katherine?
It's like I’ve known her for years.
She’s clever – she tells me about how she tells me about how she crochets, knits and sews, I love to talk to her about that. She's learned to make clothes by watching videos on the internet – I didn’t know you could do that, it’s so impressive.
Katherine is always there to help. She even gave me a call at Christmas to have a chat. I started to cry, I couldn’t believe it because no one has done that for me in a long time.
How do the calls make you feel?
My parents used to say ‘Everything happens for a reason” and that's how I found my way to Silver Talk. It’s a good service. I 'm better after I’ve spoken to Katherine. She encourages me to get out a bit more and reminds me to ring the doctors if I’m not feeling well.
It’s even given me the confidence to start doing more. I get up in the morning and I actually want to go out. I go to the shops a few times a week now. I sometimes run into people I used to know and we start talking too.
Why is it good for people to talk?
It’s always better to talk. I always apologise to people for talking too much. I do it because I don’t get see people very often. I can go for days without speaking to anybody. You need to take those opportunities when you can. It makes you feel better.
I’ve got problems with my eyes, my hearing and I can’t move around much, but I’m still a good talker.
Katherine, Marie’s Silver Talk volunteer, said: “I enjoy being able to cheer her up with something as simple as a phone call from a stranger. Although, I'm definitely not a stranger any more."
Would you like to volunteer for Silver Talk?
If you would like to volunteer for Silver Talk, please visit our volunteer's page. If you know someone who would enjoy this service, please visit our Silver Talk page to find out more.
Time to Talk Day
Time to Talk Day took place on 2 February. It’s the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
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