Post | July 2023 | Volunteer Stories | 1 min read
"I find that being there at callers worst time is very rewarding and I have learned so much"
Meet Christine, a volunteer call-taker with Family Lives. Christine lives in Radlett and works as a Lecturer at a local FE college.
Family Lives support families across the country to work through difficult experiences such as poverty, behavioural problems, relationship stresses, and countless other issues.
"I am currently on my third time of volunteering with FL over a 15 year period. I find that being there at callers worst time is very rewarding and I have learned so much. Family Lives are very friendly; the training great and 3 hours a week a manageable commitment. We don’t need to be ‘experts’ but to listen and encourage callers to reflect. There is always support available".
Find out how you can help here https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Family-Lives/opportunities
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"It gives such a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and you really do feel you've made a difference to their lives"
Meet Helen, Volunteer Trustee and Secretary at Young Careers Crew.
Young Carers Crew (YCC) is an independent charity based in Stevenage that provides respite and support to young carers living in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire. The young carers are young people aged 8-18 that are primary or secondary carers for a member of their family. They run fortnightly sessions and occasional outings where careers can ‘just be themselves’ and enjoy their time at the group.YCC also aims to serve as a place for the young carers to get any support they may need from other young carers, or the volunteers at the group.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and your volunteering work?
I joined Young Carers Crew in 2012. Having started as a Group Volunteer (when I particularly enjoyed helping the young carers develop their cooking skills), I went on to become the Secretary and then one of the Trustees. I'm proud to be part of this fantastic team, who all work together to support our young carers.
What made you decide to start volunteering?
A desire to make a positive contribution to my local community.
Why would you recommend volunteering to others?
When you see the hugely beneficial effect on these young people - increased confidence, well-being and happiness - it gives such a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and you really do feel you've made a difference to their lives.
Find out how you can help and get involved here https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Young-Carers-Crew/opportunities
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"It's been really great, thank you so much for all you help"
We caught up with Ray, founder at Green Care at Norton - a wonderful social and therapeutic gardening project located across a number of growing sites in Letchworth. They work with vulnerable and lonely adults who maybe long term unemployed or have special needs. Ray offers volunteers an opportunity to develop their flower farm project which involves growing and preparing cut flowers for sale.
Ray recently joined GoVolHerts platform to promote his volunteering opportunities to support the expansion of their project and has already experienced a very promising start. They have recruited 4 new volunteers and received 8 applications since the start of July.
"We've had quite a lot of interest...we recruited a really good floristry volunteer who is now a regular and an admin volunteer who I work remotely with. We also have a really lovely guy who's interested in general horticulture and another lady who has just started coming last week. We've also had lots of people email. It's been really great and thank you so much for all you help".
Find out how you can help Volunteer with Green Care at Norton https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Green-Care-at-Norton-CIC/opportunities
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"I felt I was not doing enough, and it was about time to give back. I went from zero volunteering to three roles since May last year"
Meet Dave Gilpin, Volunteer at Citizens Advice Broxbourne.
Dave volunteers as an Adviser at the Monday drop-in service at Hoddesdon Library and Tuesday for the Adviceline.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and your volunteering work?
Dave is retired and undertakes three volunteer roles for the following charities and organisations; Citizens Advice (Broxbourne), Digital Skills (Community Alliance) and IWM Duxford. When Dave isn't busy volunteering he enjoys spending time visiting the theatre and cinema and undergoing DIY projects for family members.
What made you decide to start volunteering?
"I felt I was not doing enough, and it was about time to give back. I went from zero volunteering to three roles since May last year. With each I get a different a value. At Citizens Advice its very much a sense of helping others and solving problems. Citizens Advice of my volunteering has the highest scope for delivering value, return and support for my community. With Digital Skill it about supporting the digital challenged community and Duxford is more fun and social".
Why would you recommend volunteering to others?
"In the main it's rewarding and a sense good use of time and skills. Volunteering ensures I have purpose, replaces the social element of when working for a living"
Find out how you can help here https://www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Citizens-Advice-Broxbourne/opportunities
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