“Nothing gives you that warm glow inside more than knowing you’ve helped another person in a meaningful way,” said Margaret Hopkins (66), a FitLine volunteer mentor with Age & Opportunity. “You’ve given another person the most precious thing that you can – your time.”
On International Volunteer Day, we are celebrating the incredible FitLine volunteer mentors who are committed to helping older persons around Ireland get more active.
Margaret, living in Cavan, is one of a number of FitLine volunteer mentors working with us. FitLine is a volunteer peer led telephone line designed to help older people who want to get more active and feel a bit healthier, but perhaps don’t have the motivation, confidence or information on where or how to take that first step. The service is completely free and volunteer mentors like Margaret call participants every two weeks at a time that suits them.
“My anxiety levels were very high at the start of Covid-19, we were all afraid. Instead of looking in at myself I decided to look out and see what I could do to help others while following all the restrictions, and becoming a FitLine mentor was just perfect,” said Margaret.
FitLine mentors are volunteer older people who understand the challenges of getting active. They’ll give you information, advice and gentle encouragement to get moving.
“If you’re thinking about becoming a FitLine participant don’t hestitate at all,” said Margaret. “It’s so lovely to think that someone friendly will be on the other end of the phone to encourage you to introduce activitiy into your life. Athletes don’t call FitLine! It’s ordinary people who want to keep well that call us. FitLine mentors will give you the support to get moving and to keep moving.
“Age & Opportunity is a wonderful organisation and you never know where it might take you. One day you might be the one doing the calling and become a FitLine mentor yourself,” Margaret added.
To find out more free phone I800 303 545, email fitline@ageandopportunity.ie or visit https://ageandopportunity.ie/active/fitline/.
