The Blesma Widows’ Rep

Blesma Member Lorraine Anderson (pictured) has taken up her new role as the Association’s inaugural Widows’ Representative and will represent the interests of the Association’s Widows and Widowers, liaising with the Board of Trustees to ensure their voices are heard.

“Blesma Widows now account for about a quarter of our membership, and the Board of Trustees wanted to hear from them, which is why Lorraine’s role was created,” says Blesma Chief Executive Vivienne Buck. “We will liaise with Lorraine throughout the year, and she will attend the Board meeting at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. Lorraine will be the voice of the Association’s Widows and Widowers, collating their combined thoughts as well as any issues they have, and bringing them to the attention of the Board.”

Lorraine is a former hospital ward sister who now lives in the north of Scotland. She was voted into the role at last year’s Annual General Meeting. She joined the Association shortly after losing her husband George – a former Royal Air Force officer – in 2019, and credits Blesma with giving her purpose and friendships during Covid. During that time, she attended a digital communications workshop and several online courses that she says “gave me a reason to get up in the morning and introduced me to a brand new community who I wouldn’t have otherwise met.” As a result, she now runs a popular Zoom quiz and is a regular at Blesma events, where her positive personality helps bring people together.

“The Association regularly runs events for its Widows, who range in age from their early sixties to their nineties,” says Vivienne. “They are a unique group and are not likely to need the medical support aids that Blesma facilitates, but they look to Blesma for social integration and, in many cases, to combat loneliness. We are here for them and want to do our best for them. This role is a good conduit so they can be heard, and the Board is looking forward to working with Lorraine.”

How did the role of Widows’ Representative come about?

Lorraine: The Board wanted to connect with Blesma’s Widows to understand their issues and challenges, and thought it would be best served by having a Widow who could speak to the Board directly. I volunteered and was elected at the AGM. The role is in its infancy, but it is about engaging with Widows and passing on their views to the board. Many Widows are keen to give something back and would be willing to volunteer for Blesma.

What do you hope to achieve?

I want Widows to get the best experience from Blesma and to feel as though they can contribute to helping other Members. I see it as developing the family aspect of the Association. When my husband died, I got a lot from being part of the Association, and I want that feeling to radiate around Blesma’s Widows.

What challenges do you face?

It’s a new role, so both I and the Board of Trustees will have to work out the best way of handling things as we go along. The good thing is that the role has been established with the best intentions. One issue I have noticed is that Widows tend to be a bit reluctant to see themselves as Members in their own right. We don’t vote, but we can contribute to the greater good. We also need to spread the word about the activities on offer and encourage more Widows to take part. I got so much from joining in – whether that was with crafting or quizzes – after my husband died, and I’ve made some great friends.

What are the benefits for Widows?

Making friendships, sharing experiences and helping each other. The community is getting stronger all the time, and that can only have positive outcomes for Members’ health and wellbeing. It fits very strongly with the Blesma ethos of Member helping Member; this is Widow helping Widow. My direct route to the Board will help them understand how and where they can help to make that happen even more.

What can’t you do in the role?

It is a volunteer position, and I don’t have the skills, knowledge or experience of the fantastic Support and Outreach Officers, so I’m not the person to call for that kind of help. My role is focused on representing Widows on more general aspects.

How will it work day to day?

I will be liaising with Board Member Richard Gilbert on a regular basis and can relay anything I pick up from Widows at events, meetings or from things they raise in general conversation. I don’t anticipate making a string of demands, but it will be good to have a dialogue that can lead to a swift resolution, whether that is something minor or something that might need a little more attention.

If you would like to get in touch with Lorraine, you can contact her by email at blesmawid@gmail.com