It's great working with Friends of the Elderly. On this page we feature 60-second interviews with some of our staff, to find out why the enjoy working with older people and Friends of the Elderly.
Sharon Blades - Manager, Home Visiting Service, West Elmbridge
Sharon Blades
Name
Sharon Blades
Role
Manager – Home Visiting Service, West Elmbridge
Best bit
Too many to choose - meeting the amazing variety of people, both staff, clients and volunteers, in my job. Knowing that the work we all do makes a big difference to other people. Being supported and part of a great Community Services team. Dropping 2 dress sizes when I ran the British 10K Run in aid of our service and also being nominated for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
I’d take tea with
My client Ken, who I visit voluntarily every week. He is a wonderful, charming man who has struggled to cope with illness for a number of years. We sometimes go out for tea to a local café – he doesn’t get out of the house otherwise. This makes him smile and lifts his spirits for a while.
Favourite old movie
Pulp Fiction – It’s a classic with funky music & has lots of funny one-liners. My friends & I have been known to dress up & re-enact the movie after a few glasses of wine! Thankfully no-one has caught this on video!
Hobbies
Cooking, swimming, gym, running & food festivals/markets.
Why I like working with older people
They have a lifetime of experience and wisdom. They have so many stories to tell, particularly wartime, which has affected how we all live today.
