Mytime Active Stories - Beryl

“Keeping active and doing my bit to help others”

Beryl Fisher, 83, from Chislehurst, volunteers as a Primetime Buddy at Mytime Active’s Crofton Hall and St Nicholas C Of E Primary school three times a week.

Beryl recently lost her husband Brian, who was a much-loved member of Mytime Active’s Line Dancing classes. She has thrown herself into buddying to help her keep busy. She helps out with Paracise classes, as well as Strength & Stability seated sessions and Line Dancing, and is also involved with MyClub, a programme of classes for adults, young people and children with a learning disabilities.

“I have been volunteering as a Primetime Buddy for about 13 years now and I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I have done,” says Beryl. “I volunteer three days a week and I get so much from it. I have made lots of friends, people I can talk to and laugh with. It’s such a nice feeling to know I’m doing my bit to help others".

“Iris is a great example. She has been coming to Strength & Stability for many years now. When we first met, Iris had difficulty with her balance and needed a walking stick, but over time, attending the classes has improved her mobility so much she no longer needs her walking stick and even attends Paracise, which involves standing exercises. When I reminded Iris how well she has done and how far she’s come, she told me that since joining Mytime Active, exercising and chatting while having tea and biscuits has all contributed to the person she is today – which is a much happier one".

“My late husband Brian was a Mytime Active member for many years and would regularly go to the gym. When his mobility became poor and he could no longer take part in the Line Dancing, he started to attend the Strength & Stability sessions, where he got to know a lot of people. As time went on, he was diagnosed with cancer, but he didn't let that stop him, he still enjoyed the classes and loved it when people said he looked well. Brian loved music too, so after the exercises we would stay and watch the line dancing, which was good for both of us"

“Since he passed away, it has been lovely for me to spend time with people who knew him. It’s nice to be able to talk about him with his friends and share stories about him. Volunteering as a Buddy means I have got somewhere meaningful to go every week and don’t feel lonely".

“There is always something to learn, it could be new exercises or dance steps, or how to help others as they manage their individual challenges. I have only recently started to work with the learning disability group MyClub, so I'm also learning how to support people of different ages with their challenges. It gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, as well as exercising and keeping active".

“Being a Buddy gives me a great reason to get out of the house; it’s very rewarding helping other people. Mytime Active’s members get something from us, but Buddies get so much out of our role too.”