Kjellaug (96) is here at work as a volunteer

The oldest person in the room at the day center in Brattvåg is Kjellaug Bjørnevik Fjørtoft (96). She is on assignment as a visiting friend for the Red Cross and helps the elderly with the bingo board, serves food and cleans up.

– I think it’s very nice and I have something to do, not least, says the fit 96-year-old, who has previously climbed all the mountain peaks around.

She lives in a flat not far away, and always looks forward to Wednesdays when she has to help.

Before she leaves, she has a “duty to report” to her three daughters by phone, so that they know she is well.

Find poems on Facebook

Fjørtoft is an experienced visiting friend. She has worked as a volunteer since 1977, and has organized both accordion concerts, parties and outings for the elderly. The 96-year-old believes that it was more up to the roof before, but she is still happy to contribute.

– I think it’s fun to work. You get to know so many handsome people, she says.

An activity that is always just as popular is reading aloud.

She herself uses Facebook to prepare for the day of the visit. There she finds nice poems that she writes down and takes with her to the others.

Is it strange that you are the oldest and yet you are the one who helps the others?

– There is someone who is as old as my youngest daughter, but it’s going well. Everyone is so happy that I’m coming. When I leave, they say I must not quit, says the 96-year-old.

Superstar

The Red Cross has 9,800 visiting friends, and adviser Oda Ulrikke Sandanger is impressed by the 96-year-old from Sunnmøre and calls her a superstar. They see that volunteerism is changing among younger people.

– The type of assignment that is fixed once a week at the same time is a form of volunteering that is slightly declining in popularity, says Sandanger.

The trend is that people would rather spread their involvement in several places, instead of being loyal to just one organisation. It is the matter that governs what one chooses to engage in.

– Fortunately, we also have people like Kjellaug who sign up for permanent assignments. In the biggest cities, we also see more young students signing up as volunteers, says Sandanger.

Take one day at a time

Margaret Pedersen lives in a flat at the care center and greatly appreciates that Fjørtoft comes every week.

– She is really handsome. A pleasant person, says Pedersen.

The employees at the day center think the effort Fjørtoft and the other volunteers make is invaluable.

– The work Kjellaug does is absolutely fantastic. She comes here and spreads joy. She does a great job, says Ingrid Mathisen, who is the service manager at Haram care services.

The municipality would like more volunteers, both in the nursing homes, but also out in people’s homes. They can go for a walk, read books, chat or keep people company.

Kjellaug takes one day at a time and cannot say how long she will be a visiting friend.

– It could end abruptly tomorrow. Nobody knows that.