Twenty-nine years ago, Fay Mather decided it was time to try something new. She hadn’t volunteered before, but thought, why not? She found herself at Carefor’s Carling Adult Day Program, supporting seniors living with dementia. She had no way of knowing then that it would become not just a routine, but a defining part of her life.

“I just thought, give it a try and see how it goes,” Fay says simply. She liked it so much, she never left—except for the pandemic shutdown, she has been showing up ever since.

Her 29 years are divided into two chapters: the first 14 years volunteering with people living with dementia, and the past 15 years at the Let’s Get Together Club, a day program focused on seniors dealing with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Though the programs and the faces have changed, Fay’s dedication to helping others has been unwavering.

Every Monday, Fay arrives by 8:30 a.m., ready for a full day. She does everything from helping serve meals, setting up activities, and playing games, to most importantly, offering her time, her kindness, and her attention. For many of the seniors who attend the program, Fay might be one of the only familiar faces they see all week.

“A lot of these people live alone,” Fay explains. “They come here for socialization. It’s important for them to feel comfortable and included, and that’s part of my job—making them feel like they belong.”

It’s the human connection that Fay provides that truly makes a difference. When someone new arrives, nervous and unsure, Fay is often the first to greet them, to sit with them, to listen. Over time, she sees them open up. They begin to smile more, to talk about their lives, their challenges, and even their dreams. For people who have often lost connections to friends, family, or community, having someone to talk to—someone who genuinely listens—is powerful medicine.

“At first, they’re hesitant. They don’t know what to expect. But the more they come, the more they relax. They start making the program their own,” Fay says. “And when they know they have someone who will listen, it makes a difference.”

Fay’s background as a nurse—and later as a nursing instructor—shines through. She has a natural way of making people feel safe. Her patience and compassion are second nature. Though she isn’t there in an official counseling role, her listening ear and warm presence are exactly what many seniors need.

Sometimes, seniors share worries about housing, struggles with loneliness, or anxieties about their health. While Fay always refers them to staff when needed, often just having someone to talk to eases their burden.

“I’m here to be a friend,” Fay says. “Not to fix everything, but to be someone who listens and cares.”

Volunteering has evolved over the years for Fay. When she first started, it was purely about helping others. Now, it also enriches her own life. In her 80s, she views her weekly volunteering as an essential part of her wellbeing—a reason to get up, get moving, and stay connected.

“It’s my day away. It starts my week. It gives me purpose,” she says. “As long as I enjoy coming, I’ll keep coming. The day I don’t enjoy it anymore, that’ll be the day I stop.”

Over the years, Fay has witnessed hundreds of stories, countless personalities, and endless small triumphs. Some faces stay in her memory more vividly than others, but what binds them all together is the simple fact that they found a place to belong—and Fay helped create that space.

In a world where loneliness and isolation are growing issues for seniors, Fay’s steady presence is a reminder of the extraordinary difference one person can make, simply by showing up with an open heart.

Today, as Fay circulates around the room chatting with Club members, she reflects on her journey not with grand words, but with quiet pride. Volunteering, for her, has never been about accolades. It has always been about people—about care, about connection, and about community.

And for Fay Mather, there’s no better way to spend a Monday.

Carefor offers opportunities for people looking to volunteer in Ottawa. To learn more about Carefor’s Let’s Get Together Club, visit our website and to volunteer visit our volunteering page.