More than just a call this Christmas

To mark International Volunteer Day, we caught up with Eilidh, a long-standing volunteer Christmas Day friendship caller, to hear why she enjoys taking the time to making a special call on Christmas morning. 

Q) Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

My name’s Eilidh. I’m originally from Aberdeen and then moved to Dundee to study dentistry at university. I’m now an NHS Dentist living in Edinburgh. I absolutely love Edinburgh, I think it’s a great city for someone like me in their mid-twenties! When I’m not working, I enjoy going to the gym and hanging out with friends. 

Q) Can you tell us about a typical Christmas Day for you?

Typically, I go back to Aberdeen and spend Christmas with my mum, dad and sister. We’re a small family unit; I don’t have any grandparents anymore.

We start the day with panettone for breakfast, which has become a staple in our house. My mum doesn’t let us open presents until we’ve gone on a Christmas walk, which used to be quite annoying as a child, but I’ve come to appreciate it now! Then once we’re back, it’s onto Christmas dinner, present opening and watching all the classics on TV, from the 'Gavin and Stacey' specials to 'The Snowman'. 

Q) What first inspired you to volunteer to become an Age Scotland Christmas Day friendship caller? 

My granny lived in Shetland by herself, and she never came down to Aberdeen for Christmas. I always used to worry she’d be spending Christmas day alone, but thankfully her neighbour, who happened to be her best friend, used to include her in their Christmas plans. I think she was really lucky to have that, as I know it’s not the case for everyone. 

I got an Age Scotland flyer about volunteering opportunities through the door when I was in my final year of university. It was during Covid and I just thought, why not! So, I phoned up to see how I could help and then signed myself up for a friendship call on Christmas day. After my first call I remember thinking how rewarding it felt. 

Q) Can you share a favourite memory from volunteering as a Christmas Day friendship caller? 

The first year I volunteered I spoke to two people. The first person told me that he did have family, but they weren’t able to come from Christmas. So, it was quite sad, he said there was no point in cooking Christmas dinner and so he was just having beans on toast for his lunch. 

However, I found out that his special interest was building wooden doll’s houses, so we chatted quite a bit about that. He really lit up when talking about his passion and it was really nice for him to have the space to tell someone new and share his excitement about his interest. That will always stick in my mind. 

Q) How does volunteering make the festive season more meaningful for you?  

I always think, volunteering doesn’t feel like a big part of my day, but it’s a big part of theirs. To me, it’s about an hour out of my day, but it’s the chance to make a real difference to someone’s Christmas; I’m aware that I may be the only person they speak to all day.  

They always ask me about myself too, which is lovely. I’m probably about fifty years younger than some of the people I talk to, and they always wonder what life’s like for me. It’s really nice in that sense, as it feels like a proper conversation rather than a task. 

Q) What has surprised you most about your friendship volunteering experience? 

Obviously it’s heartwarming, but it can be quite sad too, hearing that someone’s by themselves and cooking for one at Christmas. So volunteering is really rewarding in the sense that it makes me really grateful for what I have. I find myself going back to my family and thinking, I really need to treasure these moments I have with them, because there’s people out there who don’t have that. 

Q) Has volunteering changed the way you see Christmas?  

When I was a child, I always used to take for granted just how much effort my mum put into Christmas dinner. When I speak to the people who aren’t experiencing that, it reinforces the fact that these moments aren’t really about the food itself, they’re about spending time with family. Now more than ever, I really do appreciate what my mum does to put that meal in front of us and make sure we’re all gathered around one table.  

My mindset has definitely shifted a bit. Because it’s just the four of us, I used to think my Christmas was a wee bit boring, but since volunteering I just think, I’m so glad that I’ve got three people to spend it with. 

Q) What one small act of kindness would you suggest to anyone looking to make a difference this Christmas?  

I think picking up the phone to someone on Christmas day is so important. Don’t text! Call your loved ones, because hearing someone’s voice rather than a two second text is so much more touching. 

Q) What qualities do you think makes a great volunteer caller for Age Scotland? 

To be a friendship caller, I think you’ve got to be an active listener. You’ve got to let the people you’re talking to know that you are interested in what they have to say. And give them the space to speak about their passions, as perhaps they don’t normally get the chance to do this, or nobody asks.  

Being compassionate is also important. Sometimes they might ask you what you’re doing on Christmas, and whilst it’s good to share this, you also need to be mindful as to what they may not have. Don’t assume anything! 

Be there and listen to what they may have lost, or memories of who they used to spend Christmas with if they share this kind of stuff on the call too. Have empathy but also try and help them feel a bit positive. 

Q) What top 3 pieces of advice would you give anyone considering volunteering as a friendship caller for Age Scotland?  

You’ve got to try it. Just like everything in life, you won’t know unless you try.  You might completely surprise yourself and be better at it than you thought, and it might give you a real sense of enjoyment. 

I think people presume it’s going to be quite heavy, but it doesn’t have to be. A lot of the calls can be quite light-hearted and are really enjoyable. 

It’s not a burden at all. It’s just speaking to someone new and forming a little bond with them in that half hour. 

Q) Any final thoughts? 

I always used to think, if someone was phoning my granny on Christmas day, just so that she had someone to speak to, I would be so thankful to them. I’d want to hug them and say thank you so much, because it’s such a kind thing to do. I just think, what would I want if it was my grandparents.