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 Abbie Simpson who has been volunteering as a befriender at Fresh Futures for 8 months.
We caught up with Abbie to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…
- Name: Abbie Simpson
- Tell us a little about yourself? I am a mum of 4 and live in the Holme Valley. I have worked most of my life in the education system, working with hearing impaired children. Then 3 years ago I decided to retrain as a counsellor, which I am still in the process of doing. Once qualified, I would like to specialise in working with children again and possibly train as a play therapist. Outside of work, and training, I love to be outside – I love to hike, wild swim and be with my family. I love to explore new places and collect a fridge magnet from every new place I visit, from Florida to Bath!
- How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering with Fresh Futures for 8 months and have loved every minute.
- Please explain your volunteering role in a nutshell: My role is to visit with my community friend and make him feel less lonely, to bring part of the outside world (which he doesn’t venture into) into his home. To listen to his amazing life and stories.
- What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I wanted to give back to the community I live in. I don’t have grandparents and felt I was missing out. I wanted to be able to provide a listening ear, an empathic heart and unconditional friendship.
- Tell us a bit about your role: I see Walker every Monday morning; we both feel it is a lovely start to the week and we catch up on what has been happening over the weekend. Walker will tell me about his life and ask me about mine. I sometimes do little jobs for Walker, such as filling up his bird feeders and helping him with his mail. He has asked me in the past to visit his parents grave, who are buried next door to my grandparents. I have taken a photo as he has not been to the graveyard for 40 years.
- And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? DO IT. It will be the most rewarding thing you ever do. So far, I have managed to get my mum to sign up and I’m working on the rest of my family. Age knows no bounds and a wonderful friendship can flourish.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Abbie, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or email [email protected]