Volunteer Spotlight: Kidge

Elders Programme – Solution-Focused Support Volunteer

This month, meet Kidge – who meets with our Elders members one-to-one to help them think through challenges and feel more confident in themselves.

“It’s about believing in people and helping them believe in themselves.”

“I’ve been volunteering at Katherine Low Settlement since the beginning of 2018, so nearly eight years now. I’m a speech and language therapist by background, and I retired from the NHS in 2016. I knew I wanted to keep using my skills, especially the counselling side of my work, and I wanted to do something local.

One thing that’s always stayed with me is how much effort it can take for people just to show up. For some, getting to KLS is an achievement in itself. Mobility can be difficult, everyday tasks take effort, and simply arriving somewhere on time can feel like a big win. This space gives people somewhere to belong, and that really matters.

I live in Battersea and have done for a long time, so I was surprised I hadn’t heard of KLS before. Someone mentioned it to me at a dinner, and once I found out about it, I knew it was the right place for me. I started coming every week, right up until COVID. When things reopened, I came back, and over the last couple of years I’ve moved to coming every other week. I now have three back-to-back slots on a Wednesday morning.

People book in for one-to-one sessions. When we sit down, I thank them for coming and explain that my hope is to have a useful conversation. I’m mostly interested in where people want things to go and what might make a small difference.

Many of the people I see, especially older people, are living on their own. They’re dealing with loneliness, anxiety, health issues or money worries. Some come because they’re struggling with relationships or interactions with others. Sometimes they just need space to think things through. I see myself as part of a wider family here. KLS is a lifeline for many people, and I’m just one small part of that.

What I often notice is that people leave feeling a bit lighter. They might go on to lunch afterwards and be more chatty, or feel more confident about interacting with others. I can’t take credit for that on my own, but I do think these conversations help people notice what they’re already capable of.

There was one moment that really stayed with me. Someone talked about how they might smile more during the day, enjoy lunch more, and feel more relaxed when they got home. They described sitting in their chair at the end of the day and noticing that sense of comfort. It wasn’t a dramatic change, but it mattered. Those small shifts can make a real difference.

I really believe people already have more strength and understanding than they realise, and sometimes they just need space to see it. It’s about believing in people and helping them believe in themselves.

There are lots of moments that make me laugh as well. People often find humour in small things, and that joy sits alongside the more difficult parts of life. This way of working is gentle, but it’s also hopeful.

I believe everyone has something to offer. My training helps, but the heart of it is listening, being curious, and believing that people already have strengths and resources. Volunteering here has reinforced that for me, and I feel very grateful to be part of it.”