Meet the team

Started at b:friend: Aug 2022

Love: Running, walks in the Peak District with my dog, and board games with friends

Dislike: Housework and heights

Best b:friend memory:

I was lucky enough to represent b:friend when Doncaster received its city status. I got the chance to meet the King and Queen and talk about the amazing work of b:friend and the importance of reducing loneliness. 

Started at b:friend: August 2023

Love: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, My furbaby Ziggy, and I suppose I can't mention my dog without saying my fella too! 

Dislike: Spiders, well any creepy crawlies really

Best b:friend memory: eeting the b:friend team and my social clubs for the first time, everyone has been so welcoming!

Started at b:friend: May 2023

Love: trying to control my unruly garden then sitting in it with family and friends

Dislike: My teenagers when they don’t tidy up their mess

Best b:friend memory: My first day with b:friend at our Coronation Party meeting staff and 150 older neighbours from our social clubs. It was a fantastic celebration and the absolute best introduction to b:friend.

Started at b:friend: October 2021

Love: Getting outdoors with my friends or with a good podcast, discovering new restaurants

Dislike: Early mornings and mushy peas

Best b:friend memory: Dancing and laughing with my Sheffield Social Club, and the first time I heard a volunteer saying she thinks of her older neighbour as family now.

Started at b:friend: Feb 2019

Love: the best football team in Sheffield

Dislike: Baked beans

Best b:friend memory: Being invited for a tour of Downing Street - we took one of our amazing volunteers, Carys and her Older Neighbour, Dennis. Dennis confessed that at his age he never thought he would leave Sheffield again, let alone go to Number 10. Downing Street was amazing, but that wasn't the best bit. The best bit was seeing the trust Dennis had in Carys and their wonderful friendship. It was a real privilege to spend the day with them and see the positive impact that b:friend has.

Started at b:friend: May 2019

Love:  God, my family, travelling, sharing a laugh with friends and family, reading and meeting new people

Dislike: ironing, spicy food, rudeness, and unfairness

Best b:friend memory: So many to think of. I look back on the lockdown when we took gifts to people in the community who were especially struggling, it was amazing to see their gratitude at being thought of. The Coronation party was fantastic. b:friend gave me the opportunity to become special friends with a very special lady who I have been visiting since December 2019. 

Started at b:friend - October 2018 

Love: Reading, Chocolate & Cher

Dislike: litterbugs and wearing socks

Best b:friend memory: Attending the Buckingham Palace Garden party when we were awarded the Queen's Award for Volunteering.

Started at b:friend: April 2018

Love: My family and especially my new twin grandsons Luca and Freddie.

Dislike:  IroningMy best b:friend memories: The day I started at b:friend, making over 400 pairings, and the day an older neighbour who had anxiety and hadn't been out for  2 years came to my Balby Social Club.