A kind-hearted Rutherglen woman, who has devoted more than 15 years to bringing a smile to the faces of lonely older people, has been presented with a beautiful bouquet from Stems of Burnside as a thank you for her care and friendship.
Irene McColl, 72, began volunteering with Cambuslang-based LEAP – which has been enhancing the lives of older people in South Lanarkshire since 1992 – on the day its ‘Hands-on’ project launched in 2003.
As well as helping older people with odd jobs around the house, such as cleaning interior windows, changing light bulbs and clearing out kitchen cupboards, Irene volunteered as a befriender for the project.
She has since been a long-term befriender of seven older people, who have looked forward to her weekly visits and the laughter and companionship that come with them.
Sadly, four of the men and women have since passed away, which Irene admits she struggled with.
When 94-year-old Eddie, with whom she’d formed a particular bond, died, Irene found it particularly tough and had to put her befriending on hold for six months until she felt strong enough to reach out to another older person.
As well as taking the people she befriends out on shopping trips, to museums and visitors attractions or for tea and cakes, retired audit assistant Irene teaches them and their relatives how to make greetings cards with the craft materials she shares.
In addition, big-hearted Irene collects cakes donated by Greggs and takes them to Sunday tea parties at Eastcroft Sheltered Housing complex in Burnbank.
Irene talks fondly of one 69-year-old woman, who had become so isolated that she would not leave her home.
Thanks to Irene’s visits to her once a week for nine months, her life was transformed, her confidence soared and she now socialises regularly.
“The ones I have been with the longest are more like friends – it’s not a duty,” explained Irene, of Farme Cross, who even joins 93-year-old Ruth’s weekly Skype chats with her relatives in South Africa.
“Ruth is an absolute dear. Her place is always spotless, she’s always immaculate, always beautiful.
“To hear Ruth talking about me, you’d think I was the second coming!
“She’ll say: ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’ It is so nice to know you are appreciated.”
Irene, who struggles with depression and ill health, admits she gets as much out of befriending as she gives.
She explained: “It gives me a reason to go out. When people feel they can’t go out, I can relate to that.
“If I wasn’t a befriender, I would not have gone out the door. You want to go and see what you can do to help them in any way you can.
“I get immense joy out of just knowing that I am helping somebody.”
To thank Irene for her devotion and the difference she has made to the lives of older people in her community, the Leap project nominated Irene for a stunning bouquet from luxury, contemporary florist, Stems of Burnside.
Talented florist Janet Freeman, owner of Stems on Stonelaw Road, created the beautiful hand-tied blooms for the Rutherglen Reformer’s weekly Say it with Flowers feature.
Presenting Irene with her flowers, LEAP’s Willie Cairns said: “What Irene does is invaluable.
“Every volunteer we come across is exactly the same. They all get as much out of it as the befriendee.
“Without these people, we could not do what we are doing.”
Urging others to come forward as a LEAP volunteer, Irene said: “It is well worth the effort. You get so much out of it. You meet new people and are helping different people in all sorts of different ways.”
LEAP is seeking voluntary support to assist its staff in office admin, social media/PR/marketing, film making/photography, shop assisting, and assisting or leading workshops.
For more information about these opportunities and befriending, email enquiries@leap-project.co.uk or call 0141 641 5169.
