Category: Volunteer of the Month

We love this time of the month: 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 are giving a very special THANK YOU to Sarah Marsden, who has not only been volunteering as a befriender for over a year, but has joined the Community Connections team covering maternity leave.

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

1. Name: Sarah Marsden
2. Tell us a little about yourself? I am a qualified General & Mental Health Nurse, retired Police Officer, I volunteer at wildlife sanctuaries around the world and I am currently the Matcher for Community Connections for Community Friends. I also volunteer as a school governor, help out at The Welcome Centre food bank and if there is any spare time I assist in the hospital at my local Wildlife Rescue.
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering for Fresh Futures for 13 months now. I initially befriended two lonely people in the community and help with the young onset dementia support group which is a lifeline for many of these clients in their difficult journey.
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: I spend an hour a week with a lovely centenarian lady and and I love learning about the various clients who attend dementia support group.
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? My volunteering started when I walked through the door of Fresh Futures and spoke to Lucy and the rest is history.
6. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? I not only have the privilege of volunteering at Fresh Futures who are extremely supportive, forward thinking and creative in the diversity of roles that they offer, but also I find volunteering very rewarding and beneficial to my own mental health.

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

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Caty Illingworth, who has been volunteering as a befriender for 4 years.

We caught up with Caty to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey so far…

1. Name: Caty Illingworth
2. Tell us a little about yourself? I am self employed and my business is all about developing high performance in people and teams – my background is learning and development. I have a 6 year old son who keeps me entertained and is named after my favourite place in Italy (Lucca) – I love all things Italian, running and cooking. 
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity?  I have been volunteering for 4 years now
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: My role is to befriend people in our community who may otherwise be lonely or isolated.
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? When my son was very small I watched ‘Nursing home for 4 year olds’ and thought it would benefit older people in the community and my son to connect the older and younger generations. I also know that in her later years my Nan really would have appreciated the company of a volunteer. 
6. Sum up a typical day of volunteering for you: I mainly listen to and chat with my friend, and sometimes help her with basic jobs around the home, shopping, making calls (she’s hard of hearing) and occasionally take her for a trip to a cafe.  
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? Give it a try – it’s good for the soul and very rewarding. I also always think that I never know whether I might need a befriended when I’m older. It can take as much or little time as you want it to, but makes a huge difference, just by you being there. 

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

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Sushma Rani, who volunteers as a befriender at Fresh Futures.

We caught up with Sushma to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey…

1. Name: Sushma Rani
2. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I started befriending in 2019.
3. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: I am a befriender at Fresh Futures and speak to the friends I have been matched with on a weekly basis to help prevent isolation
4. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I became a befriender to be there for someone who is feeling alone
5. Tell us a little bit about your role: As a befriender I assist ,comfort, increase sense of belonging and purpose in a friend’s life
6. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? Being a befriender gives me great pleasure

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

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Jordan Tyrell, who has been volunteering at the Pass It On charity shop in Heckmondwike for 6 months.

We caught up with Jordan to hear about his Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey so far…

1. Name: Jordan Tyrell
2. Tell us a little about yourself? My name is Jordan, I’m 18 and I have just finished studying for A-Levels in Maths, Physics and Design Technology.
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Almost 6 months
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: My role as a volunteer consists of working on the till and some work in the vintage warehouse where I help move newly donated furniture around and take pictures to list on the company’s eBay page.
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I started volunteering with Fresh Futures for my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and I thought it would be the perfect place to start as the people are great.
6. Tell us a little bit about your role: A typical day of volunteering for me would consist of some work on the till, pricing and uploading newly donated items on the company’s Facebook and eBay pages and helping in the vintage warehouse.
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? I highly recommend volunteering with Fresh Futures as it has been a great experience for me so far.

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

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Tracey Mcknight, who started volunteering over two years ago as a befriender!

We caught up with Tracey to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey so far…

1. Name: Tracey Mcknight
2. Tell us a little about yourself? My journey with Community Connections started during the covid pandemic, I spotted an advertisement on social media for the role, but I wasn’t quite sure what qualifications I would need.  Well, I took the first step and soon came to realise the only qualifications needed are to be a good listener, have a good bit of chat, and most importantly have a whole lot of fun. 
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Over 2 years 
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: I was originally matched with two gentlemen, and we had weekly telephone calls as we couldn’t meet during the pandemic. This didn’t stop us enjoying our time together, I learned so much about Liverpool football club, we did quiz time and singalongs to some great old songs, and nattered about how things were when my gentlemen were growing up in the 1930’s.  Despite our age differences, we loved sharing our life stories together. 
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? Having elderly parents, I realised that there were many elderly or vulnerable people in our community who were feeling lonely.
6. Tell us a little bit about your role: My role has developed and now I not only have telephone conversations with my community connection friends but I am able to see them face to face.  I have recently been matched to the most interesting and lovely lady who has so many stories to share about her cruises and ballroom dancing I love looking over the old photographs and reminiscing with her.
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? This is such a rewarding role, and I would highly recommend anyone who has a spare hour or so a week to give it a go! Putting a smile on someone’s face is priceless and just being that bridge between loneliness and having a feeling of companionship is really what it is all about! Just give it a go and make a difference!

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

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Amarah Younas, who started volunteering just over a year ago for Child Contact!

We caught up with Amarah to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey so far…

1. Name: Amarah Younas
2. Tell us a little about yourself? Passionate, kind, and helpful is the type of person I am. I use the initiative and put in extra work to allow effectiveness is ensured. I work collaboratively within a team, as I can complete tasks and my role. I have a patient approach and calm manner which is important when dealing with challenging situations, especially at times within the Fresh Futures. 
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have volunteered for 1 year and 1 month. 
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: As a volunteer, I help deliver a safe environment for children and families. This is delivered through weekly contact sessions, and supporting (sometimes through words of encouragement) the carers to positively develop the relationship with their children. 
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? During COVID-19, it was really difficult to see others not being with their loved ones, either by separation or by the passing of their loved one. After the COVID cases and isolation had reduced, I felt like I had to give something back to the community. Hence, I searched volunteering places, especially within a family setting, and came across Fresh Futures. I read more into what the organisation did and was intrigued. I wanted to be part of the support that helped individuals reunite with their loved ones. 
6. Sum up a typical day of volunteering for you? A typical day at the contact centre entails going into 2 or 3 sessions of either supported, supervised, or MS Teams meeting (for new families starting the contact centre). Sometimes, depending on the case, I even go out in the community with the team supervisor and observe the contact between the children and their carers. By the end of the day, I assist in cleaning up the creche/contact room, in order for the rooms to be presentable for the next families. 
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? Do it! You will not regret it, it is a good challenge and you will learn many things that will increase your outer knowledge about other families, and how difficult some of their situations are. It is a rewarding experience, and you know what makes volunteering even better? It’s the team at YCC, they will always support and teach you. 

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

It’s Volunteer of the Month time again at YCC! This month, the Community Connections team nominated Phil Clarke – a very worthy candidate.

Phil started volunteering at the start of the pandemic, as he recognised how lucky he was to have a partner and not be isolated during lockdown. Phil decided to take action and help others who were not as fortunate. He has since linked with, and continues to provide support, to not one but THREE isolated and lonely individuals.

Phil spoke to Lucy Martin about his experience volunteering during the Covid-19 struggle, and beyond…

1. Name: Phil Clarke
2. Tell us a little about yourself? I am 75 years of age, having fully retired 3 years ago after 50 years as a Social Worker/Manager. I live in the Holme Valley with my partner Sue, and have four adult children who live across the country. I enjoy gardening, attending gigs, walking, and supporting Oldham Athletic (enjoying is sometimes debatable).
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I started volunteering during the height of the pandemic, in 2020.
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: I became a telephone befriender to a man with serious health problems who was isolated and scared. Since then, I have also become a telephone friend to two people, a male and a female, both of whom for quite different reasons are somewhat isolated. I intend to begin a direct contact friendship with one of them when the necessary agreements are in place.
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? My initial reasons for volunteering were acknowledging during lockdown that I had a partner – and therefore company – and we could go out together walking etc. I felt that I was in a position to be around for folk who did not have this in their lives.
6. Sum up a typical day of volunteering for you? I am not sure that there is a typical day of volunteering for me, I telephone perhaps twice a week or so and have an enjoyable chat with both my friends.
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? Get involved if you wish to, seek advice if uncertain and get to know and build a relationship with whomever you are friends with. It’s great!

If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Phil, or if you would like to get involved, please email [email protected]

We love this time of the month: when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the quite literally life changing work that they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.

This month we are giving a very special THANK YOU to Diane David, who started volunteering earlier this year and has helped out across many of YCC’s departments since then!

We caught up with Diane to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering Journey so far…

1. Name:  Diane David.
2. Tell us a little about yourself? I’m a single mother in my 40’s. I initially came to Fresh Futures to begin some training around getting back to work, having been a stay at home mum for over a decade. Then the pandemic hit and I was introduced to the Hopeful Families programme. 
3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I began volunteering in March this year, so it’s been around four months. 
4. Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: In my volunteering role, I help out Jo with the weekly stay and play and spend time interacting with both the kids and their parents. I also helped out at recent Jubilee celebrations and generally anywhere I’m asked provided I have the time. 
5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? Being on a programme here helped me massively during the isolation of the pandemic. I have a teenage daughter on the autism spectrum and so my life was somewhat isolated already. I was introduced to and given access to courses that I’ve used to gain knowledge and further my interests as well as mental health and well-being support for myself and my family. It was a no brainier to try to pay it forward for all the support I had received during some testing times.
6. Sum up a typical day of volunteering for you? A typical day of volunteering would involve me arriving and greeting everyone whether I’ve met them before or not! I generally try to make the children and parents feel comfortable, it can be a little scary for new comers after the last couple of years of uncertainty and of course the children born at that time will have had little to no interaction with their peers. Same goes for parents, especially for first timers it can be a jarring experience and being isolated can have made what should have been a happy time, anxious and uncertain. I try to speak to everyone individually about anything and everything and hopefully Jo and I have made it so people want to come back which is the main goal. 
7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? My advice would be, to give it a go! It’s really a very enlightening experience and led me to other things I probably wouldn’t have even considered before. I’ve met some amazing, like minded people, had fun and hope to continue doing so!

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

Beata is a qualified social worker, who – after moving to the UK from Poland – chose to volunteer with YCC’s Child Contact Services to get back into the social and education sectors, and to improve her English language skills.

We caught up with Beata in May, who told us a little more about herself, and her experience volunteering with Fresh Futures.

1. Name: Beata Walkowicz
2. Tell us a little about yourself: My name Beata. I’m 52 and I come from Poland. In my free time I read books and meet with my friends. My friends say I’m creative, funny, outgoing and curious about everything. My greatest joy is helping other people.
3. Explain your volunteering role: Through my social work I have experience working with families who are experiencing problems and going through difficult times. I gained a lot of insight and understanding of all the various types of problems that families can experience, for example substance misuse, illness in the family or financial problems. I understand the stress that can put on people and families, and how much of a positive impact that services such as the Children’s Centre can have on families and children.
4. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I like to volunteer to put my existing skills into practice as I am passionate about helping vulnerable people and those in need. It is my dream to get back to working in a role like this, and I see volunteering as the first step on my journey to achieving this. Also a key thing that I want to do in my volunteering is to improve my language skills by exposing myself to a different environment to my current workplace. I chose to apply to Fresh Futures because I love working with children. I am really interested in the type of support and services that the Children’s Centre provides and the families that they support. When I lived in my family home I also spent a lot of time looking after my niece and nephews and since moving to the UK that is something I have been missing as well.
5. What advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? Helping others is not only good for them and a good thing to do, it also makes us happier and healthier too. Giving also connects us to others, creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society for everyone. And it’s not all about money – we can also give our time, ideas and energy.

THANK YOU BEATA – SO MUCH – FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR YCC!

YCC’s Child Contact Centre is currently recruiting for more volunteers to help us deliver our services across the community. To learn more about the role, please check out our available volunteer positions on our website, or contact our Volunteer Development Officer directly on 07849 398829/01484 415465/ [email protected]