Befriending couple mark 100-month milestone of life-changing friendship and support

Cheltenham

Two Cheltenham women are celebrating 100 months of befriend-ship this month - a match that has transformed both of their lives for the better.

Kasey Street (73) and Jillie Barton met through the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice befriending service eight- years- ago. Kasey who has multiple sclerosis was, as she describes, at a “low-ebb” at the time when she was introduced to the initiative.

“Initially I thought this isn’t for me,” shared Kasey. I have a family and grandchildren who I am very close to, so I didn’t think I needed to use a befriending service, but to be honest I didn’t really know much about it, so in the end I thought why not try!”

“I met Jillie for a coffee and the rest is history as they say! We got on so well from the outset - our conversation was never stilted - and to this day Jillie has never made me feel like she’s just here as a volunteer doing a job. I think that’s why our partnership is still as strong as ever all this time on!”.
Volunteer befrienders offer companionship, helping people to go out and access favourite activities and places, assisting with small practical tasks and offering respite for their family.

Just like Kasey, Jillie admits she knew little about supporting people who are receiving palliative care through the befriending service but finds volunteering brings a lot to her life too.

“I was out for a walk with a friend who at that time worked for Sue Ryder and she asked if I would consider volunteering for the charity. I run a B&B which means at certain times of the day I have some hours to give,” explained Jillie.

“It was early days for the befriending service at that time, but it sounded like it would really work for me. It appealed to me as I enjoy having contact with people.

“I honestly get as much from being a befriender as Kasey says she gets from me. We are great friends. We enjoy talking about the same things - perhaps it helps that we are of similar age. We have the same sense of humour,” Jillie adds.

The pair try and meet every week: “We have lots of days out. We both enjoy our gardens and visiting the garden centre. We like watching tennis and cooking. Winchcombe is one of our favourite places because there’s an antique shop there we love - with a coffee shop I might add!” shares Kasey.

“It makes a massive difference to me as I can’t drive anymore, and I live out in the countryside so it’s hard to get public transport. I look forward to going out and about with Jillie. We laugh a lot but have serious conversations too (sometimes). The way I would describe it is it’s a really valued friendship,” she adds.
Jillie and Kasey share that while they have had too many wonderful times together over the last seven years to count, the highlight must be when they visited novelist, Jilly Cooper.

“My husband’s cousin is Jilly Cooper, so I arranged for Kasey and I to go and visit her. We had tea and cake; it was a lovely day!” said Jillie.

“A standout moment. It was amazing. She is a hoot,” adds Kasey.

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is currently recruiting befriending volunteers. Jillie says: “If people are interested in volunteering as befriender, I would say give it a go. You have nothing to lose and could find you have a lot to gain.”

For more information and to apply visit www.sueryder/volunteer or email leckhampton@sueryder.org

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