Find out what drives our volunteers, what roles they take on, and what you could get from being a volunteer, as some of them answer our 10 questions.

 

Jessica Bowie
“Having lost my grandmother last year,
it’s really nice having a connection
with a different generation”

 

 

Taryn Cranswick
“It’s really rewarding. I really enjoy it.
They’re helping me and enhancing my life too.”

 

 

Susan Gallifant and Brenda Evans
“Just do it!
You can choose what you want to do.
Give it a try.”

 

Tim Staves
“I enjoy it and get the satisfaction of doing something
that’s not just for myself.”

 

 

 

Janette Jones
“It’s given me back my pep and vitality!”

 

 

Angela Yeoman
What do you get out of volunteering?
“…Working with a group of people I admire.”

 

 

Sarah Sweeney
Volunteering “puts value on my life and builds confidence and trust within myself”.

 

 

Margaret Gilpin                    
“Needed things to fill my life –
this is very satisfying and I never get bored.”

 

 

Patricia Craig
“We’re all friends here and have a good laugh,
so it feels much more than just a shop”

 

 

 

Ian McPhail
“As I’ve got older I’ve realised the value in supporting the older generation. It won’t be long before I’ll be there myself!”

 

 

Kath Osborn
Three words that sum up BEA for you?
“friendship, communication, company”

 

 

Christine Kearsley
“I feel privileged to have made
such a difference to his life.”

 

 

 

Marian Padbury
“If I start something
or join something I stick at it
through thick and thin.”

 

 

Jonathan Edmondson
“It has definitely given me a different perspective of
the local community, I have met some very interesting people and I have had a lot of laughs along the way.”

 

 

Harriet Newton
“I wanted to spend my spare time doing something proactive and worthwhile as well as meeting new people along the way.”

 

 

Beverley Bradshaw
“I work part-time and wanted to use my spare time doing something for the community plus when my father was alive he had help from BEA.”

 

Eve Corry                            
“Volunteering is a fantastic way  to get involved and feel part of the community.”

 

 

June Sharp
Three words that sum up BEA for you?
“help, support, friendship”

 

Kirsten Miller                                                                     “Not only have I made some good friends among the members I help, but it gives me a chance to have a break from work and get involved in the local community.”

 

 

Margaret Young
“I like meeting people and being friendly and helpful”

 

 

 

 

Steve Hodgson
“I’m retired now and found BEA would give me
the opportunity to work with older people,
which I have never done before.”

 

 

 

 

Sally McHale and Edna Rose            
“It’s a wonderful organisation” (Sally)
“I must have knitted a whole shop full of wool” (Rose)

 

 

Jeanne Major
What do you get out of volunteering?
“Friendship with staff, volunteers and members, and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”