Pensioner reveals how Berwickshire Housing Association's befriending service has changed her life
'You get a good laugh, which I hadn't had in a long time'
Last updated 5th Apr 2024
A former foster carer who lost three members of her family to brain tumours has revealed joining Berwickshire Housing Association's befriending service has helped her learn to love life again.
Despite having mobility issues, Joyce Bastick revealed she enjoys attending regular tea dances.
The 67-year-old moved to the Borders from East Lothian during the Covid lockdown.
"When I first came here, I knew nobody," she told Greatest Hits Radio, "and I was just in total isolation from everybody."
But she added: "(BHA's BeFriend initiative) has made a massive difference. You get a good laugh, which I hadn't had in a long time."
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The pensioner is one of more than 300 people to benefit from the free, dementia-friendly service since it was launched 11 years ago.
BeFriend helps older people facing loneliness, ill-health or reduced mobility by getting them out in their communities and make new friends.
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"I like going to the tea dances," Joyce said. "I actually thought I'd never live to be old enough to think that. You get such a good laugh, because some of them take it so serious - it's like they are on Strictly Come Dancing. And it is, it's such good fun.
"I couldn't understand why anyone would want to give up their time to talk to me but I thought: 'I'll give it a try'. And it's not only made my life happier, it's made my family's life happier, because they're not so worried now."
The service is open to anyone aged 65 and over in Berwickshire and Kelso - tenants and others living locally.
It's being allowed to continue for a further three years with the support of a £175,000 grant from the National Lottery’s “Improving Lives” fund.
But project co-ordinator Kerry Hague revealed more volunteers are needed to offer one-to-one support.
She said: "We have some people who don't want to leave their homes, and we have volunteers that telephone befriend them. It's just nice to have a blether, they might be the only adult that they get to speak to that particular day, or even that week.
"We also have volunteers that just drive for us, and that helps us get more people out to community events."
Do you know someone who could benefit from BHA's BeFriend service, or could you spare some time to volunteer? For more information, freephone: 0800 652 8104. Alternatively, email: info@berwickshirehousing.org.uk