Interviewer

Could we start by me asking your name?

Iris Williams

Iris Williams

Interviewer

Nice to meet you Iris. And Iris, what Friends group are we talking about today?

Iris Williams

League of Friends, Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Interviewer

Thank you. And could I ask how old you are?

Iris Williams

I’m 70

Interviewer

So what brought you here to the League of Friends?

Iris Williams

I was looking for something to start. I’ve been through a difficult period in my life and I was looking for something to, to start getting out of myself and to start mixing with people again.

Interviewer

And how long ago was that?

Iris Williams

Well, I started a year ago last April.

Interviewer

So when you were thinking that you wanted to do something, why did you pick on the League of Friends?

Iris Williams

I was visiting my granddaughter, my youngest granddaughter. She was seriously ill in hospital at the time. And I was coming here, and getting a drink, and I saw the notice, and I asked for an application form.

Interviewer

And what was the application process like for you? How, how did you find it? Did they ask you lots of questions? How does it work?

Iris Williams

It was very easy, it was. I filled out the form, then had an interview with, with Brian then yes,  and after that I started, and I really did enjoy it from the first day.

Interviewer

And there might be people listening who are interested in joining. So do they take references? Do you need to do a DBS check? Do you remember any of that?

Iris Williams

I had a problem over references, so I wrote a letter, because I’d isolated myself so much from people.

Interviewer

Okay.

Iris Williams

But I wrote a letter saying I’d never failed DBS check, a police check.

Interviewer

Okay. So, so again, for people listening who are a bit unsure, they’re creative, they’re helpful here. Very helpful. They try to help you get into volunteering?

Iris Williams

Yes, they do. Very helpful and a lot of support at the time.

Interviewer

Excellent. So when you started to volunteer, what did you start to do?

Iris Williams

Heating pies, <laugh>.

Interviewer

Okay.

Iris Williams

Heating pies. I worked with a very nice lady called Pat, and she showed me the ins and outs of it, and gradually I learnt the till, and then, well the drink machine is straightforward anyhow.

Interviewer

And how much time a week do you spend here?

Iris Williams

I do two mornings, a Monday and a Wednesday, and an odd weekend if they require us.

Interviewer

Do you enjoy it?

Iris Williams

Love it. Absolutely love it. The best thing I’ve ever done.

Interviewer

Do you have any favourite memories of being involved here?

Iris Williams

Just coming out and learning to mix with people again, and actually talking to people, and it just sort of helped me over. It’s helped me so much over, given me confidence again, and feel self-esteem coming back in my life again. It’s absolutely been marvelous for me. I couldn’t, they’ve all been so friendly, helpful, and I just enjoy it so much.

Interviewer

I think in a very few words, you’ve summed up an absolutely great reason why people in the community should get involved in the Friends. Yes. Thank you. Thank you ever so much.