22 minute read
Thanks For Giving
HANDS UP!
Many of us have good intentions when it comes to sharing our time and energy, but maybe we should make a point of making it happen and sign up for some volunteering
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Volunteering used to be the domain of the newly retired and eager gap year students hoping to broaden their experience while doing something worthwhile. But these days people from all walks of life, with all types of skills and talents, dedicate time to helping other people, animals, nature, causes or communities for nothing. In fact, according to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, an estimated 14.2 million people volunteer at least once a month – and what better time to talk about it than the season of goodwill?
Changing times
Since the start of the pandemic, volunteering has been on the rise, with more and more people pledging to do their bit. Many have done so simply because they could – because for the first time in their usually busy working lives, things changed. People found themselves with time on their hands at the same time that other members of the community needed extra help. Our towns developed networks of people delivering food and running errands for those who couldn’t leave their homes, while simple acts such as joining neighbours for weekly doorstep displays of solidarity and pinning rainbows in windows, enhanced feelings of togetherness that we all hope will last well beyond the pandemic.
Communities pulled together during the pandemic
The benefits to society are enormous. Nine out of 10 people gain from some sort of voluntary activity over the course of a year, from the 162,000-plus voluntary organisations in the UK. The economic value of volunteering is estimated at £22.6 billion.
There are many reasons why people volunteer. Those feeling fortunate with their lot in life might simply want to share their good luck, some enjoy keeping busy, many just find it rewarding. One thing is for sure: across the Shire patch there are plenty of organisations that would be delighted to find new recruits and welcome budding volunteers with open arms.
If you think you could be one of them, keep reading. And over the next few pages we’ll give you more reasons why it could be a good idea, as well as suggestions on how and where to start.
ASK THE EXPERTS
One organisation that knows more than most about volunteering in all its forms is the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), which represents more than 16,000 voluntary organisations, charities, community groups and social enterprises. NCVO doesn’t place volunteers directly but it has a selection of resources to help you find a suitable opportunity. Find out more at www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering.
Do it for… yourself
Volunteering is all about doing something for someone or something else, right? Not necessarily… There are important benefits for the person doing the good deeds too
Giving your time and energy for a cause you believe in is wonderful enough in itself – but often the main person to benefit will be you yourself. And that’s another great reason to get stuck in. As a society we’re (slowly) getting better at recognising the importance of mental wellbeing and staying in tune with our own mental outlook, and volunteering may be something that helps us to keep that in tip-top shape. Health experts at Bupa certainly credit the act of “giving something back” with providing a huge boost to our emotional state, and there have been a number of studies exploring a potential link between volunteering and mental wellbeing.
According to Bupa, research does seem to show that volunteering has a positive effect in terms of managing depression and enhancing life satisfaction and general wellbeing. This research mainly consists of small-scale local studies, where volunteering schemes have been used as a form of treatment programme for people with specific mental health conditions. Many positive outcomes have been noted, with individuals reporting that volunteering helped them in their recovery. Overall, this paints a picture that volunteering can be valuable for the volunteer as well as for those who benefit from their help. Fatmata Kamara, specialist nurse adviser Fatmata Kamara, specialist nurse adviser at Bupa UK, says: “As a mental health at Bupa UK, says: “As a mental health Volunteering Matters runs projects across the UK – see volunteering matters.org.uk nurse, I have seen firsthand some of the benefits people have gained from volunteering, which may lie behind these research findings.” nurse, I have seen firsthand some
Take time out to do something di erent
The benefits of volunteering
Fatmata has observed volunteers reporting positive outcomes such as:
• A sense of purpose Helping others can be rewarding and satisfying, and can reaffirm your sense of value and purpose. • Social opportunities It can provide an opportunity to make friends and develop your social life, as well as helping you get to know your local community. As a society, we’re starting to understand that social relationships promote mental wellbeing, and volunteering is a great way to build these. • Learning Volunteering often involves learning new skills, which in itself brings a sense of fulfilment and achievement. • Chance of employment Many volunteering schemes can open doors in terms of employment opportunities. Finding a job – or a new job – can carry with it all the benefits outlined above. • A distraction If you’re experiencing anxiety or depression and are preoccupied with negative thoughts, volunteering can provide a welcome distraction. • Physical activity Some volunteering activities, such as gardening or sports coaching, may involve physical effort. The benefits of exercise for mental health are well established. • Feeling valued Helping others can help promote feelings of value and self-worth, boost self-esteem and increase confidence. • Time out Taking time out to do something different gives you the chance to reflect, reassess and potentially restore balance. Continued on next page
Do it for… nature
One of the most popular options for volunteering is the environment – whether that means a simple litter pick in the countryside or helping preserve and protect our precious green spaces
If wildlife and the natural world are your top priorities, then you will find no shortage of volunteering opportunities that might suit you. So many national organisations that seek to protect our natural environment rely on volunteers to help campaign and raise funds for the essential work they do – as well as taking part in branch activities – and locally we have plenty of helping heroes that will welcome new recruits.
Winging it
The RSPB is one charity we can all do our bit to support. “Spending time outside discovering the incredible sights and sounds of our amazing wildlife is something we can all enjoy – together we can also help save it,” the charity says. “With 17 per cent of species in Wales under risk of extinction, which includes the It 'sourstosave iconic curlew, increasing our support and understanding for the wildlife that enriches all our lives has never been more important.
“As an RSPB Cymru volunteer, you can meet new people, learn new skills, improve your CV, see – and help – fantastic wildlife and even improve your fitness. Volunteering is also a great way to work towards a career in conservation. You can give as much or little time as you are able, and your work will help us protect our wildlife, now and in the future.”
Please email cymruvolunteers@rsbp.org.uk for more information about becoming an RSPB Cymru volunteer or contact any of the RSPB Cymru nature reserves directly. For more information on how you can get involved and be a part of saving nature, visit
www.rspb.org.uk/
get-involved.
Go wild
Wildlife Trust groups across the patch are also regularly looking for volunteers and offer a range of roles and responsibilities you might be WildlifeTrustinaction
It's not all work, there are laughs to be had too (promise!)
interested in. Jenny Mottershead, Rhos Pasture arts and heritage officer for Radnorshire Wildlife Trust explains how vital the work is. “Volunteers are a key way for us to help nature thrive across the area,” she says. “We’re extremely fortunate to have fantastic volunteers – people who help us survey and assess the state of nature locally, who help maintain footpaths and fences, help run our shop and help at events and with school groups.
“For us, volunteering isn’t simply about increasing numbers – each volunteer brings a unique range of skills, knowledge and experience to the team. Some join to meet others or to gain skills for employment. Whatever the reason, they make a valuable and meaningful contribution to our work. Each person, whether volunteer or staff member, is a vital part of #teamrad.”
Walk this way
If you love the great outdoors, you’ll appreciate the effort it takes to care for the natural environment we all enjoy walking in, but have you considered joining in to promote and protect the areas you love? The Ramblers is is Britain’s largest walking charity, with 20,000 dedicated volunteers already devoting their time, skills, local knowledge and enthusiasm to enable others to experience the joys of walking.
Thanks to them, the Ramblers has already achieved so much – from creating national trails and national parks to gaining the right to roam. Volunteers lead more than 50,000 walks every year through 500 groups across England, Scotland and Wales, and also help to protect and maintain 140,000 miles of paths.
To find the perfect role for you and see the current volunteering vacancies, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/ramblers-volunteering or email volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com.
Makenewfriends
WE NEED YOU-TH!
The six Wildlife Trusts in Wales have come together to tackle climate change with the help of the young people of Wales. For the next three years, they will work to empower and inspire young people to take action for nature and wildlife in their local area. They are looking for passionate individuals aged nine to 24 who want to gain skills in conservation, help with campaigning or just meet like-minded people, as part of a youth forum. To find out more, check out www. rwtwales.org/our-projects/stand-nature-wales-project.
Do it for… animals
Rehoming an unwanted pet is a long-term commitment and not something to be entered into lightly – but it can bring untold rewards. There are plenty of other ways to help animal charities too
Animal charities are always a popular option for volunteering, and dogs in particular have a special place in our nation’s hearts. One charity that will always welcome extra support is Greyhound Rescue Wales. If you love dogs, and have the time and means to do it, you might consider opening your home to a rescue dog, says Sabina Dunkling, manager of Hillcrest rescue and rehoming centre in Carmarthenshire.
“Here at Greyhound Rescue Wales, we often say rehoming a greyhound is like having a very large puppy,” she says. “Often they have not been in a house before and they want to explore everything! They may also need some work to get them housetrained. But with a bit of guidance, time and patience from their adopters, greyhounds and lurchers can learn all their life skills and make fantastic companions.”
If you can’t go as far as to take on a dog, you can help the charity in other ways. It has five retail shops and is about to open a sixth, in Abergavenny – which again is down to the efforts of volunteers. Local members pitched in to help with street collections, sponsored dog walks and dog shows to raise funds for the new branch. The charity also holds a virtual Pawsome Auction, where you can bid online on a variety of lots. The next
Fundraisingfun one takes place between 14th and 21th November, and you can find details on Facebook – search “Greyhound Rescue Wales”.
Paws for thought
More of a cat person? Why not show your affection for our feline friends by adopting a cat? Cats Protection in Wrexham is always looking for new families for their residents. It is keen to help as many cats as possible, both during the pandemic and beyond, so if anyone can offer a deserving kitty a home, it will help to free up more space in the centres to take in emergency cases. If you’re interested in adopting a cat or kitten, email wrexham@cats.org.uk or call 0300 012 0269.
JOIN IN! Craft a felt cat for Christmas. See www.cats.org.uk/ craftforcats
Do it for… people and places
Working together
Here at Shire, we love our local area and we’re pretty sure you do too. No wonder we’ve been inundated with volunteering suggestions from groups already doing their bit to keep our patch as lovely as it is Whatever floats your boat
Park protectors
The Friends of Telford Town Park work hard to keep this award-winning park up to its high standard – and have great fun doing it. Chairman Chris Pettman says: “Our ambition is to return the gardens and fountains to their former glory, through gardening, hedge laying, scrub clearing, erecting bird and bat boxes and other general environmental maintenance. There are huge health benefits to volunteering too – being outdoors can lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate, while improving mental health.
“We have a varied mix of ages volunteering, and anyone aged 16-plus is welcome to join us. Telford’s Chris Pettman We meet every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the Chelsea Gardens. Come along or contact me for details. Email cpettman2014@gmail.com or call 01952 270868 or 07837 918013.”
Tower power
One group so successful in its work it has now gained industrial backing is Guardians of the Clock Tower – a determined bunch of people doing their best to preserve the Grade II-listed John Summers clock tower site in Deeside. The building opened in 1907 and was home to Shotton Steelworks’ general office before closing in 2009 and falling into disrepair after being sold to a developer. The group has plans for a heritage skills centre, library, community café and landscaped gardens on the site. It has made great progress and now has the backing of Tata Steel, which is providing free utilities so that volunteers and tradespeople can continue delivering the project.
Vicki Roskams is leading the project. “The steelworks has always been a major employer and a huge part of this community, so we are delighted it is so supportive of the project,” she says. “Our thanks to everyone who “Our thanks to everyone who has helped us to this point, and has helped us to this point, and if anyone is able to volunteer if anyone is able to volunteer their time or resources to help their time or resources to help us take the scheme forward, us take the scheme forward, please get in touch.” please get in touch.” For more information or to support the project, email to support the project, email vicki@enbarrenterprises.com or vicki@enbarrenterprises.com or request to join the Guardians of request to join the Guardians of Clock Tower Guardians the Clocktower Facebook page. the Clocktower Facebook page. Across the area, we have a fabulous network of heritage transport systems in the form of old railway lines and canal networks – and many rely on volunteers. One of those needing support from as many people as possible is the Montgomery Canal. Christine Palin, chair of the Friends of the Canal group, says: “The Montgomery is one of the finest canals in the UK, with a unique natural and built heritage. Nature reserves beside the navigable canal protect its valuable plants and wildlife, and per mile its collection of bridges, locks and other structures is unrivalled. With more support the canal can be extended from Crickheath to join with the landlocked section at Llanymynech to create a sustainable tourism destination. “Those who know the canal recognise its value not just to wildlife and boaters but the community as a whole. We are asking more people to join with us and tell policy makers that the canal should be properly funded The Friends busy on the canal DID YOU KNOW? The canal is a Special Area of Conservation for its aquatic plants so that its restoration can proceed apace.” Show your support at www.themontgomerycanal.org.uk.
Health heroes
At the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital another dedicated group of Friends supports the clinical and admin teams, and is always looking for extra pairs of hands. Julie McCabe is a former nurse and volunteers in the vaccination centre. “I do weekends and tend to work alongside the same volunteers and staff,” she says. “They’re a friendly bunch and make everyone’s experience a positive one. It has been a real honour to be been a real honour to be involved in the vaccine rollout involved in the vaccine rollout and is one of the reasons why and is one of the reasons why I’ve nursed all my adult life.” I’ve nursed all my adult life.” Currently the Friends are looking for people to are looking for people to help with the vaccination help with the vaccination centre, coffee shop, screening centre, coffee shop, screening desk and visiting patients. desk and visiting patients. Potential volunteers can email Potential volunteers can email heather.thomas-bache@nhs. heather.thomas-bache@nhs. Julie McCabe: “It’s an honour” net or call 01691 404401. net or call 01691 404401.
Do it for… the glory!
Our nation’s army of volunteers may sometimes feel forgotten, but there’s a shared sense of pride when their amazing contribution is recognised – as it was for four local groups this year
Maybe you need more of an incentive than the promise of a feelgood glow to take the next step and sign up as a volunteer? Well, don’t worry, there are plenty of awards and endorsements for those who do good – from blood donors who earn honours with every five, 10 or more visits to long-service badges once you’ve been doing your bit for a while. And don’t forget the potential for official honours such as MBEs and OBEs.
Joking aside, we have too many heroes of the voluntary sector locally to shout about all of them on these pages, but some who recently enjoyed royal recognition were those groups selected for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) – the highest accolade given to local volunteer groups across the UK. It is awarded to “truly outstanding” groups of volunteers whose level of initiative and impact are exceptional. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community, and the awards are distributed by the Queen’s Lord-Lieutenants who represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
In Shropshire this year, Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Anna Turner JP was delighted to hand out four such honours to Shrewsbury Drapers Company, Shrewsbury Food Hub, Bright Star Boxing Academy and the Red House Community Centre (run by Albrighton Village Halls Trust). She said: “I am delighted that four Shropshire groups have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. This prestigious award is richly deserved by each of the groups, who have made a real difference to so many people in the county of Shropshire.”
Our congratulations to all four groups (see right) – and to all those unsung heroes doing their bit for our communities. within that community, and the awards are
Recognitionatlast!
Teatime with Shrewsbury Drapers
Shrewsbury Drapers
The Shrewsbury Drapers provides sheltered housing in 52 almshouses, as well as promoting textile design and preserving the heritage of the guild and its historic hall. Major General John Crackett, the current Master says: “Not only is this a superb DID YOU KNOW? The Shrewsbury Drapers has run almshouses since 1444 recognition of all the hard work put in by our volunteers year after year, but also I hope that it will make us better known locally and encourage a more diverse selection of skilled and energetic people to come and help us.”
Bright Star
Bright Star Boxing Academy offers sport, mentoring and education to support people to make positive changes in their lives. Its goals are to aid young people at risk of exclusion or Changing lives criminal exploitation, in recovery and with poor mental health. Director Joe Lockley says: “It’s great to see the impact we’re having is recognised nationally. Everyone involved goes the extra mile to meet the needs of everyone who walks through the doors, whether that be through one of our targeted programmes or to the open boxing club session.”
The Red House
This community centre has provided services and facilities for all age groups in Albrighton, Shropshire, for more than 50 years. It runs a free summer play scheme, Christmas parties for seniors and multiple fundraising events to support the community. Chair of trustees Jenny Wynn says: “This is wonderful Community e ort recognition for all our trustees and volunteers, many of whom have worked at the Red House supporting residents for more than two decades.”
Shrewsbury Food Hub
Operating seven days a week, the Food Hub tackles food poverty and waste by sharing leftover food from supermarkets with community groups. The quantity it collects has increased six-fold since it started in 2016, and last year provided enough for 195,000 meals. Katy Anderson, manager and co-founder says: “Our 116 volunteers are the heart of our organisation.”
Paw-fect Presents
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Our round-up of the best gifts for animal and nature lovers
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1. MyMetalGarden paw print love heart, £12, My Metal Garden; www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MyMetalGarden 2. Metal cut-out blue tit, £26.50, Nature In Steel in Bucknell, Shropshire; www.natureinsteel.com 3. Wildlife World Tahera artisan nester, £16, Ginger & Browns, Blakemere
Village; www.gingerandbrowns.co.uk 4. “Wipe Paws And Carry On” barrier rug, £15, Petcetera in Whitchurch,
Shropshire; www.petcetera.co.uk 5. Build A Bee Hotel gift set, £11.99, RHS Plants; www.rhsplants.co.uk 6. Geometric weathervane, £160, British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry,
Shropshire; www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk 7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar butterfl y growing kit, £25, CJ Wildlife in
Shropshire; www.birdfood.co.uk
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8. Melissa & Doug build-your-own birdhouse, £14.99, Dobies Garden
Centres; www.dobbies.com 9. Hanging basket bracket, £49.99, British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry,
Shropshire; www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk 10. Doggy Joules plush bone toy, £3.99, Charlies; www.charlies.co.uk 11. Brambly Cottage Theiss four-piece garden butterfl y set, £19.99,
Wayfair; www.wayfair.co.uk 12. Hedgehog house and planter, £99.99, Royal British Legion Industries
Shop; www.rbli.shop 13. Make A Pizza For The Birds kit, £19.50, The Den Kit Company; www.thedenkitco.com 14. Tom Chambers warbler birdhouse, £59.99, Fron Goch Garden Centre in Caernarfon; www.frongoch-gardencentre.co.uk
