Sarisbury Green customer care manager bonds over animals with 90-year-old widow thanks to NHS volunteering scheme

Catherine Greenham from Sarisbury Green traded her home owner support role at Vistry Group for calling the vulnerable during lockdown and

she has been speaking to Molly, who lives on the same road.

Catherine, who has clocked up nearly 600 hours of volunteering while furloughed, was put in touch with the nonagenarian – whose sister is now unwell, leaving her on her own – through the NHS Volunteer Responders via the mobile phone app.

She said: ‘I chose to be a point of contact by telephone, which came naturally due to my current role, so that I could put my communication skills to good use.

‘A message came through asking me to make contact with a lady living alone who needed some help, I called the number and introduced myself, and this is when I first spoke to Molly.

‘She told me all about her life. It is lovely to hear all the stories of her travels and where her and her husband used to live.’

The pair have also chatted about Catherine’s boxer 13-year-old dog Beau, who she was afraid would have to be put down but thankfully has now recovered.

Catherine said: ‘‘Since that first call although I am not obliged, we have a chat once a week to put the world to rights and I check in to confirm she is ok. It takes a fraction of time out of my day and she is so grateful for the call. We have also made plans to meet up once it is safe to do so.

‘My family, friends and Vistry colleagues are delighted I have joined this scheme and made a difference to Molly’s life, if only for a short period of time.

I feel grateful for the opportunity given to me to connect with a vulnerable person living alone, as I am.’

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