FRIENDS IN NEED: Bradley, Fiona, David and Sophie Coleman with Gudrun Dowsett, Mrs Coleman has struck up a close friendship with Mrs Dowsett since she became her Telecare volunteer six years ago. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0318sggudrun3
THE motto “a friend in need is a friend indeed” could have been written about this unlikely duo.
Six years ago 86-year-old Gudrun Dowsett found herself living on her own.
Worried, she decided to sign up for help from Telecare.
Volunteers operate this vital service, which provides daily phone calls to elderly people who live on their own.
The phone calls act as a check-up service and if the phone call isn’t answered, further checks verify the elderly person’s welfare.
But busy mother of two Fiona Coleman’s decision to be a Telecare volunteer changed Mrs Dowsett’s life.
“I just know they are there for me anytime if I need it,” Mrs Dowsett said.
“They’ve taken me into their heart and home.”
What started off as a simple phone call each day has blossomed into a lovely friendship between the women.
While Gudrun already has her own daughter Julie, Mrs Coleman, her husband David and their two children Bradley, 12, and Sophie, 7, have become like a second family to her.
The women held hands and chatted like old friends yesterday when the Central Western Daily met them.
“It was for my welfare because there was no one else there to know if I was dead or alive,” Mrs Dowsett said.
The decision to become a Telecare volunteer was an easy one for Mrs Coleman.
“I’m really busy but felt that it’s important to give back to the community and felt it’s something I could do is make a call. I want my kids to think about life outside of them, I pray they’ll be able to understand. You only have to give a little and they appreciate so much,” she said.
Mrs Coleman said the transition to friendship for her and Mrs Dowsett happened slowly over the years and led to Mrs Dowsett being involved in many family outings and occasions.
Mrs Dowsett no longer uses Telecare as she now lives in Ascott Gardens, but Mrs Coleman remains a firm friend.
“She’s just so happy sitting in the lounge room and just to be part of the family,” Mrs Coleman said.
“All she wants is to be part of family life.”
