Volunteer Stories

When Jenny Bridger first arrived at Penniwells Riding for the Disabled (RDA), she wasn’t just looking for something to do. Having recently left hospital, Jenny was already involved in riding for the disabled and volunteering gave her a sense of purpose at a time when recovery felt uncertain. Penniwells became a place where she could channel her motivation into something positive, helping others while rebuilding her own confidence. So strong was that connection that Jenny chose to remain in Hertfordshire after leaving hospital, simply so she could stay involved. That was over ten years ago. “I wanted to prove that people in hospital can volunteer,” Jenny explains. While still an inpatient, she went out for the day, not for shopping trips or days out, but to volunteer at the yard. The Penniwells team were incredibly supportive, always ensuring someone was nearby if she needed help and allowing her role to grow gently and safely over time - at her own pace. She began with stable work and learning how the yard operated, gradually building confidence and understanding how each RDA group worked. As her confidence grew, so did her involvement - from fundraising challenges like marathons, abseiling and fancy-dress events, to creating sensory tracks and social media posting, and now with a hands-on involvement building wooden animals for the yard. “I’ll often take my screwdriver up to put things up for them,” she laughs. “Being able to get involved in as much or as little as possible - especially with my mental health - is really important.” That flexibility has allowed Jenny to remain involved through health appointments, setbacks and milestones alike. Sometimes she even travels with the group to competitions and shows. "Volunteers don't just give their time, they give people the confidence to believe in themselves. Volunteering fills a space in your heart that you didn't know was empty and we cannot do any of it without the support of our volunteers. The riders and volunteers both benefit from feeling very much part of the Penniwells Team and family, " says Sarah Healing, Penniwells Centre Manager. Beyond the stables, Jenny has supported Pony Club sessions on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, hoping to one day train as a leader for this group. She has encouraged riders to get involved in arts, crafts and creative writing and taken on the “extra bits” that busy staff don’t always have time for. Penniwells, part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), supports around 140 riders a week and requires many volunteers to support them. For Jenny, what the organisation has given her goes far beyond numbers. “I’m very grateful for what they give me,” she says. “They gave me a sense of security when I was moving into a new area and allowed me to start an independent life. It’s been a constant for me.” Jenny set herself a personal goal: if she could volunteer consistently for a year with no relapses or hospital admissions, she would consider moving into a more formal role. She achieved that - and went on to become a volunteer with Mind Network, where she works part time leading part of their experience team, helping to develop training whilst encouraging others to use their experiences to improve mental health services. Still, when times are hard, Penniwells remains her anchor. “When I’ve had major struggles, the first place I’ve gone back to is Penniwells,” she explains. “Being around animals is a huge passion for me, so if I don’t want to be there, that’s a sign I need to check in with myself.” One moment stands out above all others. Jenny formed a deep bond with a particular mare - so deep that she now has her tattooed on her back. “She told me to go home,” Jenny recalls. “She nudged me towards the stable door - like she was saying, ‘You’re not well enough to be here today.’ That horse represents RDA and Penniwells to me. It’s a space I can always go back to, even if it’s just for ten minutes.” That sense of safety and acceptance is central to Jenny’s experience. “There’s no demand, no pressure. It’s about what you feel comfortable with.” She strongly believes in the RDA motto - ‘It’s what you can do that counts’ - and believes it can be applied it to everyone, not just riders. “They’ll always find something you’re confident with. You don’t need experience; you can come and learn.” For Jenny, volunteering has been mutually beneficial. “Everyone helps out, regardless of ability or disability. It’s about showing people: you can do this .” Volunteering has also given her friendship, routine and community - things she didn’t have after spending four years in hospital. Penniwells’ inclusive, LGBTQ+-friendly environment helped her feel safe and confident, and for many people, she says, volunteering can be a stepping stone to work, part of a health plan, or simply a place to belong. “People volunteer for lots of reasons,” Jenny says. “Not just because they want to do something good - don’t worry about being judged for that. If it works for you and helps you, that’s fantastic.” She’s clear that charities benefit just as much as volunteers do and take real pride in the progress people make. “You might think you’re helping someone else, but actually, it’s about what it can do for you too. That gratitude flows both ways.” “I may never be able to work full time,” she reflects, “but if I can do things that make me feel like I’m doing something good, that matters.” For Jenny, volunteering has always been more than a role. “Volunteering is where I could be myself.” 

Youth volunteering plays a vital role in building stronger communities, offering young people the chance to develop skills, experience, confidence and a sense of purpose while giving their time to something meaningful. At Growing Resilience in Teens (GRIT), volunteers are included as part of their community, helping to create stable foundations within their structure, raise funds and support the mission of enabling young people to thrive. GRIT is a charity based in North Hertfordshire that supports the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 11 to 24. Through group programmes, workshops and one-to-one coaching, GRIT helps young people build confidence, resilience and learn practical tools to cope with life’s challenges, empowering them to feel stronger and more in control of their futures. We spoke to one of GRIT's volunteers, Albert, who manages their Vinted account, not only raising vital funds needed for the charity, but also creating awareness of what the charity do, collecting donations, listing them and posting them. What first inspired you to start volunteering at GRIT and what motivates you to continue? I was actually one of GRIT’s young people back in 2019, so I already knew what a great charity they are. Years later, I was encouraged by the Jobcentre to look into volunteering. They recommended to check out GoVolHerts so I did and I saw GRIT were looking for someone to run their Vinted account and it immediately stood out to me. I’d already been selling on my own Vinted account, so it felt like a perfect match. Volunteering now feels like a full-circle moment and a way to give back. Can you share a moment or experience in your role that was especially rewarding or meaningful? There isn’t one big standout moment. Aside from photographing, packaging and sending items most of the work I do is from my laptop in bed but seeing sales come through and knowing they’re helping fund GRIT’s work is always a good feeling. What is the best part of your volunteering role and why does it stand out to you? The flexibility really stands out to me. Being able to volunteer in a way that fits around my routine while still making a meaningful contribution makes the role enjoyable. How has volunteering changed you or made a difference to your life? Volunteering has given me a sense of purpose. It’s nice having something to focus on that feels productive and worthwhile, rather than just filling time, and knowing it’s actually making a difference. Is there anything you’d like to say to other young people considering volunteering? You don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out to volunteer. If you’re good at something already, there’s probably a way to use it and still keep it enjoyable. Albert is a great example of how volunteering doesn’t always look the same — and how small, consistent actions can make a big difference. By organising and running GRIT’s Vinted account, Albert helps turn donated items into vital funds that directly support GRIT’s work with young people. His role shows how creativity, organisation and commitment can be just as powerful as being front-and-centre, and how youth volunteering can fit around individual strengths while still making a real impact. See more of GRIT's volunteer opportunities here .

Margaret was referred to Reach Out by a GP Link Worker. Reach Out support those facing potential loneliness who are medically vulnerable, having recently left hospital or being at risk of hospital admission. They do this by connecting clients with a befriender, for companionship, getting out and about and some regular connection. At the time, Margaret was living with mild cognitive impairment and receiving support from the frailty team. Like many people in similar situations, Margaret was spending a lot of time on her own so it was felt that having a befriender could offer her companionship, reassurance and perhaps even give her the confidence to get out and about again. Enter, Sharon. Sharon is a volunteer at Reach Out and upon asking if she would be happy to be matched with Margaret, she didn’t hesitate. After learning about Margaret’s mild cognitive impairment and that things might take time, Sharon was keen to help, if anything, it made her even more determined to help. Their first contact was a phone call… which lasted 45 minutes! They had plenty to talk about and an immediate connection. When they first met in person, they got on really well, but Margaret understandably struggled at first to remember who Sharon was and when she would be visiting. Sharon came up with a simple but brilliant plan. She photocopied her Reach Out ID badge and left a copy by Margaret’s diary, so Margaret could check each day who was coming and when. It worked a treat. Before long, Margaret was ready and waiting when Sharon knocked on the door, knowing exactly who to expect. Soon, their visits began to include trips out together - something Margaret now looks forward to enormously. These days, they love nothing more than heading out for a Coke, some peanuts and a good old chin wag. Being able to get out of the house has made a real difference to Margaret’s mental health and feelings of loneliness. As Sharon explains: "Margaret spends a lot of time in her flat on her own and really looks forward to my visits so she can have a change of scenery and to do something different. Most times I take a picture and send it to her so she'll have something to remind her of where we've been and what we've done." Margaret worries about her memory and Sharon’s weekly visits have become a reassuring constant in her life. Sharon has also been mindful of how Margaret experiences her memory loss. Margaret can remember the distant past but struggles with more recent events and has shared that some people can be abrupt when she repeats herself, which causes her anxiety. " I tell her it does not matter ,” Sharon says, “e veryone forgets things and it’s okay to be told things more than once. We keep things light and relaxed, have a giggle and always have fun during my visits . Sharon encourages Margaret’s independence and always speaks positively to her, helping to build confidence rather than anxiety. And the impact goes both ways. " I am pleased to be able to make a difference and help someone who is alone ," Sharon says. " I look forward to the visits. It’s helped me gain insight and understanding of dementia so I can support people better and not cause distress ." She adds that the visits help her too, " I struggle to relax, so it’s good to sit and chat and eat cake. When I leave, Margaret shouts ‘Love Ya’ - and my heart hurts ." Volunteers like Sharon, who give their time, compassion and creativity to support vulnerable people in our community, make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Stories like Sharon and Margaret’s remind us why befriending is so important, particularly during seasons when people may feel more isolated. If you’d like to read more about the impact of befriending and why it matters now more than ever, you can explore our other blogs on befriending and community connection. Or explore some of our befriending opportunities here - Could you be a befriender? | GoVolHerts