Experienced biographer Catherine shares what is it like to be a volunteer biographer.
Each new biography comes with day one nerves
Entering the aged care residence for the first time I had a mixture of excitement and nerves. Would the storyteller like me? Would I be able to build the rapport that was the cornerstone of the Beyond Words experience? Had I left enough time to sign-in at the front desk? Would the recorder work? Did I have spare batteries? Of course, I did, I had checked before I left home.
Collaborating with the fabulous lifestyle coordinator added to the experience
Most of my nerves turned to adrenaline and excitement when I met the fabulous Lifestyle Coordinator. She was welcoming and enthusiastic about the first biography and over the coming months I learned that the infectious passion she displayed on our first meeting was reflected in the zeal she had for her role.
Connecting with each storyteller is a unique experience
These feelings have been the same for all three biographies I have been involved in and while it felt the same, it was different. A different residence, finding my storyteller’s room for the first time, and of course my storyteller was an individual.
My concerns soon dissipated and my storyteller and I connected thanks to the wonderful work of our assessors who carefully match each storyteller with the right biographer. Before we knew it, 10 weeks flew by and I found my beautiful storyteller had the most amazing memory for facts – names, places, exact locations of streets and buildings – which made up part of her story.
The benefit of the storytelling journey
Over the first couple of weeks my storyteller seemed a little emotionally down but keen to engage in the adventure of recording her life story. It wasn’t until the day of the presentation of her biography that I recognised my storyteller’s mood had gradually been boosted, and I felt that the journey of telling her story had raised her spirits just a little.
The biography presentation was flawless. The Lifestyle Coordinator arranged for one of the storyteller’s daughters and two grandchildren to attend in person and for another daughter to join via FaceTime from interstate. A group of fellow residents joined in for a lovely morning tea, with some words from myself and from my storyteller.
There was lots of interest from other residents who were considering the Beyond Words biography program. I had a wonderful time and my storyteller enjoyed the experience.
Each story is unique
I feel the same about each biography as I approach it, but those familiar feelings are balanced with the excitement of the different and unique – the individual story that is the storyteller and their wonderful life.
I feel so blessed to be involved with this fabulous organisation which provides such an impacting outcome for our fellow human beings in the twilight of their lives.
Catherine Sullivan
Volunteer biographer, 2024
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer biographer, please see our volunteering page with a link to the volunteer application form.
