My name is Pauline and I have used the facilities at Age UK Leeds in the Bradbury Building. Firstly I enrolled to do an IT course and then the Tai Chi class. 

When visiting the building I saw an opportunity for volunteering. The Walking With Confidence programme involves visiting people in their homes and accompanying them out to do shopping or visit places of interest and generally get used to being outside again.

Mary was my second client on this project and we got on very well. Mary had not been out of hospital long and wasn’t happy going out on her own. We got along very well and went on the bus into Leeds centre, Mary needed to purchase things like Christmas cards and wrapping paper and other things too. I could see Mary was tiring, we had walked quite a distance so I suggested we go for a drink somewhere, which we did. When we were rested we then walked to the bus stop and travelled back to Mary’s home, she seemed very pleased with her purchases but was tired.

Over the weeks we visited the supermarkets and Mary purchased food items which she required, and a few Christmas presents, we used the bus on these occasions too. I could see that over time Mary was getting her confidence back and getting stronger.

It was good to see Mary regain her confidence and get back to her old self, she does have support from her daughter too. Mary is a very sociable person and we were never short of conversation it was a pleasure to spend time with her.

I am now looking forward to my next client. I am happy that I have been able to help someone and feel I can give something back.