Pam & Shapla’s Story
Pam, 91, is matched with Shapla, who she looks forward to seeing and speaking to every week.
They were first matched through telephone befriending during the pandemic and their strong bond means they have become firm friends.
Shapla, 38, still phones Pam every week but also visits her at her flat and says she has learnt a lot from her.
Pam
“
I love talking to Shapla; she teaches me things and I teach her things. Seeing and speaking to her gives me things to talk about and makes my brain work a bit better than it used to. I would not be without her.
Pam said: “I’m in the early stages of dementia so I have to remember to do things like crosswords, puzzles and quizzes to keep my mind going all the time.
“I worked all my life until I was 75/76. Now I have got plenty of time to knit lots of teddies and blankets for the Trevor Mann baby unit as they looked after my daughter when she was born.
“My daughter comes in and cares for me, but I was depressed and lonely, and I didn’t have anyone else to talk to as I am on my own. All my relations are up in London.
“I love talking to Shapla; she teaches me things and I teach her things. Seeing and speaking to her gives me things to talk about and makes my brain work a bit better than it used to. I would not be without her.”
Shapla
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I needed Pam as much as she needed me.
Shapla said: “During the pandemic I ended up volunteering for three charities as I was on furlough. Together Co was one of them.
“I needed Pam as much as she needed me. Hearing Pam talk about the viruses she went through as a child, and that she was in hospital for a whole year; knowing she had been through something like that and got through it really helped me.
“Hearing Pam’s stories about growing up has made me appreciate what I have so much more. She is one of my best friends and I love spending time with her.”
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