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Voluntary Friend Service
We live longer.
And if we are healthy and alert, we can realize all the things
- that we didn´t have time for when we were younger
- and our agenda was filled with a lot of obligations. So far everything is fine.
But one day we might become unable to manage all our daily routines.
- and we need help and support.
Here The Voluntary Friend Service comes into the picture.
We are one of the oldest, active non-profit organizations in Stockholm.
We were founded in 1959 and are religious and political independent.
Our association has grown slowly from social and human needs in our society.
Our services are most varying.
We can, for example, offer accompany for a walk.
We make home visits and just sit and talk.
- or maybe read a book together.
It might be safer to have someone at one´s side when visiting doctors,
dentists, a podiatry or some physiotherapy.
For providing security, we´ll be at your side the whole way.
We regularly get new volunteers.
Today we are more than 80 volunteers ready to help and support.
Our coordinator has many years of experience
from social work focusing on elder and disable people.
By regular follow-ups, we try to shape our activities
according to the specific needs for service.
The needs for social contact increases significantly mirroring the loneliness in our society.
We have regular contact with politicians in this field.
What´s your point of view regarding the volunteer work
- with elderly and disable people in Stockholm?
First I want to mention a personal device that I always try to pass on
to others when I meet senior organizations or aged people in general
“Life become more meaningful if we spend timeon something beside ourselves
- and our private matters.-
I have noticed among both young and elder volunteers,
and the sport organizations are our greatest voluntary section
with an impressive enthusiasm and dedication,
and I would like to see the same voluntary passion
for old and disable people.
Many volunteers have told me about their passion
and joy for having become volunteers.
We have many oldies that are lonesome but rather healthy and alert.
They might just take that first step to some voluntary work.
The information here is very important here.
Voluntary Friend Service has help me to come out, to go by bus or by tube.
I have got in touch with professional and intellectual people
with whom I can share experiences.
That means a lot to me as a solitary.
I’m positive that voluntary work will expand in future.
The loneliness is also growing for older people.
And the care staffs in old people’s homes
don’t always have the time to meet all the needs.
I’m look forward to see a growing engagement for older and disabled.
We also have regular contact with other organizations with similar activities,
to share experiences and build bridges to better serve those who may need our help.
“I suggest that we advance to point four here.”
We at The Voluntary Friend Service try as far as possible meet the needs
and desire both from our clients or our volunteers.
Sometimes it may take a little time to find suitable solutions,
but we mostly find good arrangements for all parties.
Hello, is it The Voluntary Friend Service? I have heard about you and…
Please contact us if you want to have information, ask for help
or maybe want to start as a volunteer yourself.
It is a stimulating and rewarding mission.
You´ll find that you can improve the quality of a person’s life
We volunteers get so much appreciation.
People we help are so grateful and happy which means a lot to us.
We meet so many different people with a lot of experiences and knowledge.
And we get some much back from them.
I often feel that I get more in return than I give.
So I can warmly recommend everyone to work as a volunteer.
Many establish fine friendship for life.
We are content with each other, aren’t we?
Absolutely! We have become very good friends,
like we have known each other our whole lives.