Sandra was in her early 50s, running a nightclub, when her mother, Audrey, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Giving it all up to help care for her mum was tough, but something she knew she needed to do. Finding connection through volunteering was an unexpected positive.
“I never left her for one day in 19 years,” she tells The Weekly now, five years after Audrey’s passing at the age of 96. “She died in my arms, which was beautiful.”
A bright spot for Audrey during this time was a weekly trip to community centre Greenwood Cottage. Run by The Benevolent Society, the cottage provides social opportunities for older Australians while also giving their carers a little time out.
“Mum would come back home lighter, because people were talking to her – people outside of me,” Sandra recalls. “They would have parties there and Mum would get up and dance, she always had rhythm.”
Rural advocate Amanda Ferrari shared how enriching volunteering has been for her on The Australian Women’s Weekly Love Stories podcast.
“I love committees, and I love to fundraise, and I love to create and build things,” says Amanda. Not only has she fostered new friendships through the experience, but she has also gained new perspectives from her fellow volunteers. “It’s been a gift, the whole thing.”
Listen to the episode:
The joy of connection through volunteering
The centre is absolutely dependent on its volunteers, and for Sandra it was a no-brainer to join up six months after losing her mother. She rides the courtesy bus which picks up those attending, then spends the day with them as they enjoy a meal, some conversation, crafts, music and plenty of laughter. In addition, the cottage runs dementia therapy activities and organises cultural outings at galleries, museums, local clubs and more.
“It’s great,” she says of the enjoyment she gets out of her participation each week.
“There are a lot of people who sit home who are probably lonely as well. But if they become a volunteer? It’s like you’re part of a club.”
Cherie is the activities coordinator at the cottage, and she couldn’t agree more about the positive effect connection has not only on their clients, but on the volunteers who have given their time and care.
“We’ve got a very diverse group of volunteers, and they all bring something of value to Greenwood,” she says. “They come back because they enjoy their time here, and some long-time friendships have been made. As you get older, you don’t meet at the school gates anymore to make new friendships. It’s very hard for people in their 60s and 70s to make new friends, so it’s an ideal situation.
“We are like a small family, we’re all here to support each other. We’re a real community.”
To learn more about Greenwood Cottage and other community initiatives run by The Benevolent Society, head to benevolent.org.au
This article originally appeared in the November 2024 issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Subscribe so you never miss an issue.
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