“Our volunteers make a tremendous difference and enrich the residents’ lives. They come along every week to the coffee morning and will also accompany residents out on their monthly outings and activities. Not only do they make the tea, they often bring along home baking, home-made jam, samosas and other delights.
Their presence gives the residents companionship and also gives them confidence if out on the Wee Red Bus on a day trip. This reduces isolation and loneliness.
As well as helping out, they enrich the residents’ lives by sharing their own stories and their life experiences. It’s magic!”
Louise Muir, the manager at St. Mary’s Gardens in Barrhead
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do
We know that volunteering has many benefits for individuals who volunteer, the organisations to which they contribute and society as a whole. Loneliness has a profound impact on quality of life with serious implications for physical and mental health. We believe that every older person should have opportunities to make and maintain friends and connections so they can keep healthy and well balanced and enjoy life as much as possible – we believe that no-one should have no-one. Hanover (Scotland) wishes to assist our residents tackle social isolation as we believe that good physical and mental health, quality of life and the ability to live independently are closely linked.
The many positives outcomes of volunteering mean that volunteering truly is social inclusion in action. Volunteers will:
- Gain confidence: Volunteering can help you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement.
- Make a difference: Volunteering can have a real and valuable effect on people, communities and society in general.
- Meet people: Volunteering can help you meet different kinds of people and make new friends.
- Be part of a community: Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
- Have fun: Most volunteers have a great time, regardless of why they do it.
Research has shown that volunteering not only enriches the lives of others, it can also improve physical and mental wellbeing. The data suggests that people who volunteered had their risk of dying reduced by as much as 22%.
People who volunteer benefit from various improvements in mental health. Those who gave up their time to help others were less likely to suffer from depression, plus they had higher levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing.
Many Hanover residents are themselves keen volunteers within their communities.
Anyone interested in being a volunteer with Hanover (Scotland) should contact Jim Brown the Volunteer Co-ordinator:
