TWO Barry widows are celebrating more than 20 years of volunteering at a Connect shop which has led to them becoming friends.

Mum-of-three Sheila Elizabeth Harvey, who has volunteered with Age Connects Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Senior Health Shop for 13 years this August, started her volunteering for one day a week and enjoyed it so much she has now increased to two days.

Babs Harris has been a volunteer at the same shop, on Holton Road, for nine-and-a-half years four days per week.

Both discovered their new opportunities by visiting the Vale Volunteer Bureau, also on Holton Road.

Sheila’s three children suggested she volunteered.

The thought, she said, was daunting as she hadn’t worked for a long time and felt vulnerable going out alone.

But she said she knew it would allow her to meet new people and make new friends.

Sheila felt the shop would give her a chance to meet people in a social environment. She has met and still meets many characters in the café, some of whom have lost their partners which allows her to show empathy and understanding. Many regulars have now become like friends.

Sheila said: “Senior Health Shop manager, Nona is a fantastic boss, a great listener and sort’s things out, she laughs and jokes with us and makes the environment like an extended family. My advice to others is volunteering can change your life and gives you a new outlook on life.”

Babs Harris, married for 60 years until her husband died 10 years ago, wanted to feel useful again and felt she needed adult interaction.

She knew lots of people, in Barry, but needed to get out and do something.

She felt the shop would provide her with the interaction she needed.

We she started she couldn’t talk to anybody, but her new environment got her chatting to others.

Both Babs and Sheila go on trips and also support others whose partners have died.

Babs also attends the Stitch & Bitch class every Monday and has made 19 different cushions.

Babs said: “Through this volunteering experience, Sheila and I have become great friends, don’t rely on family so much and have got a whole new world at the Age Connects Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Senior Health Shop.”

For volunteer opportunities, contact the Vale Volunteer Bureau, 34 Holton Road, Barry, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Call 01446 421782, email: info@vvb.org.uk or visit www.vvb.org.uk