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 Michael who volunteers as a Community Friend. We caught up with Michael to hear about his Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m a bus driver and a cancer survivor. Now that I’m cured, I want to give back to the community. I never like to think of someone being on their own, so I’m doing what I can to make a difference.
How long have you been volunteering for the charity: I signed up over a year ago, but I had to take a break during my cancer treatment.
Tell us about a typical day in your role: It’s a joy to visit my two friends – they make my life feel whole just as much as I do for them. It’s really a two-way thing. Some days, I’ll think I can’t be bothered, but the moment I get there, I feel completely different. They’re both awesome people, and they help me as much as I help them.
There are so many rewards to being a befriender – more than I ever realised. Even on days when I wake up feeling off, just talking to my friends, and hearing their life stories makes everything better.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I wanted to give something back to the community and help improve people’s lives.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? I’d recommend befriending to anyone. It’s one of the best things you can do, and the support from the team at the office makes it even better. They make sure you’re matched with the right people, which means a lot.
When I delivered Christmas presents, so many people wanted to stop and talk, and that really touched me. There are so many lonely people out there, and we don’t always realize it. Now I’ve got two friends for life, and it’s been an amazing experience for everyone involved.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Michael, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]