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Category: Volunteer of the Month

Volunteer Of The Month: August 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Joe who has been helping the charity with content creation and social media management.

We caught up with Joe to hear about his Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 

Around 3 months

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’m a writer, editor, and musician. In my spare time, I sing in 2 bands, one of which I’m also in full drag. If you couldn’t tell, I’m horrendously confident.

Tell us about your volunteering role:

I take the content creation and social media management skills I have gained through my career and I use it to help the charity improve their social media engagement and footprint. From creating analytics reports to creating graphics and pictures or video reels.

Tell us about a typical day in your role:

I assess the social media engagement and trends for the charity and try to understand what things are working with their audience and what things aren’t. Sometimes I will create content based around the needs of their upcoming campaigns.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?

I wanted to gain some experience while also contributing to a good cause.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? 

Do it! It’s for a good cause, it’s good for your CV, what do you have to lose?

the image shows a poster celebrating the volunteer of the month. There is an image of a man posing for a selfie, he has brown short hair and wears a black and white stripy top. The name 'Joe Hallas' is above the image as well as 4 different coloured hands reaching upwards.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Joe, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of The Month: July 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Rosemary Howe who volunteers for the charity as a Community Friend volunteer.

We caught up with Rosemary to hear about her Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 

I started volunteering a month or two before COVID hit, just before the Christmas period. I’d just started visiting my first friend when we had to move over to the telephone. We chatted over the phone through the entire duration of COVID, and then started meeting up again after that. After around 3 years I was matched with my current friend. It must have been over four years since I started now.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I’m a people person – I love talking to people. I’ve done a lot of things in my life, like running a small post office for around six years, working in retail, and on a market. When I got married, I inherited 4 stepdaughters – and then had two children of my own! But now I live on my own, so I know how it feels to be alone.

Tell us about your volunteering role: 

In my volunteer role as a befriender, it’s important to show an interest. It doesn’t matter what you talk about, I just chatter away. There must be moments where I bore the pants out of my friend. But for him it’s something outside of the usual, its someone coming in with a different mindset.

Tell us about a typical day in your role: 

I visit my friend; we sit and chat and sometimes have a cup of tea. I tell him a lot about my life, but he also asks me a lot of questions and asks for my advice. I think he likes to use me as a sounding board when he’s unsure about things.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? 

The reason I wanted to start volunteering is because I know what it’s like to be alone. I was looking after my husband for 8 years, but during that time, there were moments where I felt isolated, as he spent a lot of time sleeping and watching the TV. I felt like I had lost him long before he had died, which made me feel very much like I had been on my own for a long time. When I moved, I knew I had to make an effort to go out and meet people. As I’m still fairly mobile and have my car I’m able to volunteer and help others, so I will go on doing this as long as I can.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? 

To become a befriender, I think you’ve got to be patient and appreciate that the person you are visiting might feel frustrated to be in that situation. They will probably be very pleased to see you, but at the same time they might be feeling like things in their life were not meant to be that way. But if you succeed in brightening their day, it’s really worthwhile.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Rosemary, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of The Month: June 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Annalise who volunteers for the charity as a volunteer friend and peer group volunteer.

We caught up with Annalise to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering at Fresh Futures for 6 months and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I hold a Level 3 BTEC in Art and Design and have a strong passion for both art and gaming. In my free time, I love immersing myself in creative projects and exploring new games.

Tell us about your volunteering role: As a volunteer friend and peer group volunteer at Fresh Futures, I help organise events and activities for the organisation. My primary focus is on making individuals aged 18-28 feel less lonely and providing them with a safe and welcoming space.

Tell us about a typical day in your role: A typical day of volunteering for me involves engaging with members of the Elevate group through activities such as board games, crafts, and event organisation. These interactions not only provide a fun and supportive environment for the participants but also bring a sense of fulfilment to everyone involved.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I was inspired to volunteer with Fresh Futures because I loved the idea of helping others and elevating their mood. The opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life was a driving force for me.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? To anyone considering volunteering with Fresh Futures, I would say absolutely do it. You will find it a fulfilling experience that helps you grow both personally and professionally. Another bonus is that everyone at Fresh Futures, whether volunteers or staff, are friendly and welcoming individuals.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Annalise, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of The Month: May 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Annette who volunteers for the charity as a Community Friend.

We caught up with Annette to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 15 months.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I have been married to John for 45 years and we have 5 daughters and 15 grandchildren, I have lived in the Holme Valley since I was 12 and I walk 6k every day. I also love reading and baking 

Tell us about your volunteering role: I visit Ken every week, for a chat, shopping, eating or a drive in the country.

Tell us about a typical day in your role: If Ken is feeling ok we will go shopping, go to a garden centre,  or just go for a drive to enjoy the countryside, once a month I take him to the barbers and if he has a doctors appointment I take him to that. If he’s having a bad day we just stay in a chat until we have put the world to rights.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? My daughter volunteers, and until she did I have never heard of such a thing, so I wanted to help someone who might be experiencing loneliness as I can’t imagine how terrible it would be not to talk to anyone for days at a time.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? Just give it a go it will enrich your life and the person to whom you visit.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Annette, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of the Month: April 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Sudeep who has been volunteering at the charity since February 2024.

We caught up with Sudeep to hear about his Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 2 months.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am Sudeep Varghese John and I enjoy working with young people & children. I am passionate about working as a Health Safety Environment, Food Safety Supervisor and Trainer. 

Tell us about your volunteering role: I supervise children, give information about day-to-day activities to parents and serve food from the kitchen during the Fresh Futures Stay & Play Warm Spaces sessions.

Tell us about a typical day in your role:  I come to Brian Jackson House in the morning take on the daily activities to prepare for the Stay and Play sessions. When parents arrive with their children I register their names and provide them with the relevant information about the session. I involve them in the activities and provide refreshments.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I wanted to work as a volunteer to gain experience of working with children for future employment in schools and colleges. I consider this is a great opportunity.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? It would be a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in working with children and young adults. Fresh futures has a very supportive management team and volunteering could help to attain a job in this field.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Sudeep, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of the Month: March 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Omar who has been volunteering as the Sustainability Champion at Fresh Futures since October 2023.

We caught up with Omar to hear about his Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 5 months.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am 18 years old, I enjoy sports, like football and F1, and enjoy reading about business and finance. 

Tell us about your volunteering role: My role as a Sustainability Champion Volunteer entails helping the charity become more sustainable in its day-to-day operations by creating and implementing new sustainability initiatives. 

Tell us about a typical day in your role: A typical day of volunteering includes going into Brian Jackson House and catching up with Lucy about upcoming sustainability-related events. I will then check the Sustainability Action Plan and select a goal which I would like to accomplish. Lucy and I will then form a plan to achieve this goal and proceed from there.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I started volunteering with Fresh Futures as I saw this as a unique opportunity to gain office work experience, whilst making a positive and impactful change. 

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? A piece of advice for anyone considering a volunteering role with Fresh Futures is to just reach out and get involved, as there is something for everybody and everyone at the charity is very helpful and supportive. 

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Omar, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]

Volunteer of the Month: February 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Patricia Hastead who has been volunteering at Fresh Futures since May 2022 as a Community Friend.

We caught up with Patricia to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Since May 2022.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am now retired but was a primary school teacher for many years before having a complete change of employment and working for a friend’s mystery shopping company.

Tell us about your volunteering role: I visit my friend every Monday for about two hours. On cold or wet days we stay inside and chat but during the summer we sit outside in the garden. Every four to six weeks we go out for lunch and we are always looking for new places to try. I now feel that each week I am going to see a friend and look forward to the visit.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? Programmes about loneliness in people of all ages were often on television and when I saw the advert for volunteers to train as befrienders I thought this was how I could do a little to help.

Volunteer of the Month: January 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Ahmed who has been volunteering at Fresh Futures since October 2023. Ahmed has been supporting Fresh Futures with the recent rebrand by creating engaging content and contributing to the charity’s visual identity.

We caught up with Ahmed to hear about his Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Since October 2023.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am originally from Egypt. I am a final year graphic design student at the University of Huddersfield.

Tell us about your volunteering role: In my role as a volunteer, I’ve been involved in supporting Fresh Futures with their rebranding effort. A typical day of volunteering involves collaborating with the Fresh Futures team, brainstorming and working on design projects.

What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I found Fresh Futures as a result of research for my University project. I was drawn to the charity because I saw their commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Once I was able to volunteer I reached out and they were very friendly and helpful.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? My advice would be to find a role that aligns with your skills, so you are passionate about it.

Volunteer of the month: November

Posted on by Katie Shephard

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Saberin who has been volunteering at Fresh Futures since July to support our mission to become more sustainable. Saberin has already made a huge difference here at Fresh Futures and we are so pleased to have her in the team.

We caught up with Saberin to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Since July 2023

Tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Saberin and I am very pleased that I had a chance to be a volunteer in Fresh Futures. I am passionate in my role and I like teamwork and I’m a very motivated person. I always like to upgrade my skills and my knowledge.

Tell us about your volunteering role: Identify and create projects or design posters and brochures that relate to YCC’s sustainability work. I also encourage people to support positive sustainable change and awareness.

What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? First of all I wanted to improve my computer skills but now I’m interested in my role.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Saberin, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Fresh Futures Volunteer Officer, Daisy, on: 01484 519988 or email: [email protected]

Volunteer of the month: October

Posted on by Katie Shephard

Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to 89-year-old Elaine who has been a Community Friend to 94-year-old Rita over the last year. Elaine shows incredibly heart-warming compassion and kindness to Rita, and they have formed a wonderful friendship through their weekly catch-ups.

We caught up with Elaine to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering for Fresh Futures for 1 year.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am 89 years old, turning 90 in March, with 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. I love chatting to people, I’ve always worked amongst people and just really enjoy company.

Tell us about your volunteering role: Every week when I visit Rita who is 94 years old, she is waiting for me at the window and waving at me. I really look forward to seeing her, we have so much to talk about, and honestly we have become great friends. Rita can’t always get her words out, so I just hold her hand and let her know that it’s okay to take her time. Usually she manages to get her words out after a little while, and I’ve noticed that her speech has improved a lot over the last year. Sometimes when she is struggling, she tells me to talk while she listens. I tell her all about my family and what’s been going on. She always remembers the details, and the following week she won’t forget to follow up! Before leaving we always have a hug when we say bye.

What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I’ve always had a busy life, but now that my children have their own families and I’m alone, it really helps me to go and see someone. I don’t really enjoy my own company, so getting out and talking to other people who might be experiencing loneliness has been really important for me too.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? It’s really helped me a lot. If you are helping someone else, it also helps you. I would say, if you can visit someone who might be feeling lonely, bring them a story, a bit of news, something like that – it will really brighten their day.

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Elaine, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Fresh Futures Volunteer Officer, Daisy, on: 01484 519988 or email: [email protected]