In January 2021 through the Volunteer Centre Wicklow, I read about Virtual Walks- Befriending. Ardeen, Shillelagh was looking for volunteers from various villages in Wicklow, my village being one, to do a walking video link with residents. This appealed to me as a regular walker. I felt very lucky during lockdowns to live in an area with so much diversity and was very aware that there were people who couldn’t get out to enjoy it.
Although it took a long time to get started, from January to April, it has been worth it. I needed Garda clearance and a short online course.
I now do a video chat each week with two of the residents. One resident is from my area and it’s been lovely to link in with his family and former neighbours on our walks. As we have got to know each other we not only do walks. Recently we have been painting together.
The other resident is from another county but loves gardens and gardening. A great match as we discuss and show each other our seedlings and plants.
I certainly have enjoyed this and I’m also getting positive feedback from both of my new friends and their assistants. We have very relaxed video calls and adjust the times to suit us all. I was worried when it took so long to get started as by that time I began to get back to work but as I’m not a full-time worker I can keep it up. This is the kind of volunteering that I have been able to fit into my life fairly easily.
I would recommend people to volunteer, it not only adds to other people’s lives but also to your own. There are so many different opportunities, one to suit everyone I reckon.