Volunteer profile: Sharon and lovely Mabel

I’m a Newcastle lass born and bred and having spent time outside of the area for study and work many moons ago, once I got the chance to return to the North East I was never going to leave again.

Fast forward c.30 years and after a few decades pressing my nose to the corporate grindstone I reckoned it was time for a little self indulgence and spending more time with my family, particularly my elderly father.

So, I said goodbye to the world of Human Resources (temporarily as it happened!), right in the middle of COVID (never was blessed with great timing) and took a few months off to recharge a worn down battery.

It was during this time that I applied and was accepted to be a Magistrate, something I had wanted to do for some time and subsequently spent many a long training day on Teams before being allowed in a courtroom.  For the past three years I have sat in various courts in the region, I really do enjoy the role and have learnt so much.

I also volunteer once a month at a lunchtime community drop in centre where as a Kitchen Co-ordinator I have the pleasure of being run ragged for 3 hours, preparing food orders for our gorgeous group of elderly folk.  Whilst trying to make up four different toasties at the same time can be stressful (yes, it really can!),  I absolutely love it and get so much pleasure from seeing our visitors enjoying their food.

In November 2022, my Dad moved into Philip Cussins House, a care home in Newcastle and it was then that I realised one of his biggest worries in moving to the home, was that he would be lonely and perhaps most important of all, he might not see quite so much of Mabel, my beloved 7 year old Westie who he adores.  Of course, that was never going to happen, but it helped me realise what a big transition and huge step it is for people moving from their own home into an assisted residential environment.  It also gave me a greater appreciation of the importance of company and particularly canine company for older people, particularly for those who have previously owned their own pet.

Needless to say, me and Mabel, as well as my sister’s two dogs (a rather large lurcher and a tiny Italian greyhound) have been and continue to be regular visitors at my Dad’s care home.  The dogs are welcomed by residents and staff alike and it is clear to see the joy and happiness they bring whenever we visit.

Mabel’s favourite visiting time is in the evening when the tea trolley arrives and she is given her own assortment of biscuits and treats.

At this point, I should mention that we do have two dogs, Mabel’s ‘brother’ is Rocky, a rather large Staffie with a bit of Boxer mixed in, who we adopted from Dogs Trust in Manchester (lets just say a moment of weakness after weeks of badgering from my two children who are old enough to have known better).  Given that Rocky has certain behaviours that can be challenging; he is a foodie monster and unlikely to win any awards for intellectual capability  – the chances of him passing the WAG assessment would probably be rated at c.0%.

Earlier this year, a friend who is involved with WAG asked if I would like to go to an afternoon tea which had been arranged as a fundraiser for WAG.  I gladly accepted and the rest as they say, is history.

I was blown away by the stories told by WAG volunteers at the function and the obvious difference that WAG makes to the lives of elderly people in our area.

It suddenly occurred to me (yes, I can be slow) that Mabel loves visiting my Dad’s care home, she usually behaves when she is there and is very gentle and just loves attention.

So, I filled in a card to register my interest in becoming a WAG volunteer, received a phone call the following week and waited nervously for the day of Mabel’s assessment.  The relief when she passed was tangible, having been particularly worried about the biscuit test!

It didn’t take long to be matched with a lovely couple called Eileen and John, who both love dogs and really miss not having a dog at home, having had three furry friends of their own.  They both love telling me stories and showing me pictures of their last dog Monty,  who looked adorable.  Eileen particularly enjoys feeding Mabel treats and loves asking her for a paw which is energetically given and more akin to a ‘high five’. I am really enjoying getting to know Eileen and John as they have so many interesting stories to tell and have led a very full life.

As well as Eileen and John, me and Mabel have also started visiting another lady who lives on her own in Newcastle and is missing not having a dog around her home.  We are really looking forward to meeting our new friend and I’m sure Mabel will enjoy even more love and attention.

I am so grateful to be involved with WAG and being able to visit with Mabel.  Giving a small amount of our time, meeting such lovely people and sharing our love of dogs makes such a big difference; it really is a privilege for both of us.