When it comes to volunteering it’s easy to see what a difference we make to the person or group receiving the support, but it’s actually a two-way process. To explore what benefits it brings to the volunteer, busy Wokingham Volunteer Centre supporters Nick Glover and Sandy Godfrey were interviewed by Wokingham.Today and asked what they love about volunteering.
Reflecting on his 8 years as a driver with the Communty Transport Scheme, Nick commented: “I like people, I enjoy meeting them and everyone has a story to tell. I just get a kick out of the idea of helping people – it’s a social thing and I find it hard to say no.” He went on to comment: “I know people who retire and have nothing to get up for, they’re bored and don’t know what to do. But I’m so busy now that my wife jokes she has to make an appointment to see me! I never know what the day is going to bring, but I always have the satisfaction of being able to say ‘I achieved something today’.”
Sandy has been a volunteer driver for 9 years and said: “We try to make life a little bit easier for people and I get great satisfaction knowing I’m able to help our clients live full lives. Many of them have lived in the Borough for 40 or 50 years and have amazing stories to tell. I learn so much about what they used to do, about their families and the Borough’s history.” Talking of how she got into volunteering, Sandy added: “I started volunteering when I was made redundant and it was the best decision I made. I can really see how much difference it makes to people and I really enjoy it. Wokingham Volunteer Centre is amazing to work with; they give me flexibility which helps me fit volunteering around the rest of my life.”
If you would like to join the team of volunteer drivers, or explore other volunteering options, then please get in touch with us at volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or call us on 0118 977 0749. Current volunteer opportunities are listed on our portal.