Wendy Garforth
I began volunteering with Aspire in September 2020 as a Telephone Support Volunteer and have been a Sessional Volunteer with Aspire Dalton & Almondbury since we reopened groups in September 2021.
I have always been a people person in my various roles - homecare assistant, bartender, manager of a retirement complex & gained an accreditation in Healthcare.
But when I retired I began to climb the walls and began looking on the volunteering websites like Denby Dale Centre & TSL Volunteering Kirklees for opportunities to keep working with people. This became especially important when my husband passed away in August 2020, I was at a ‘loose end’ and needed something to focus on.
The Aspire team is great, friendly & approachable! The people at the groups gel quickly when they join & there are some fantastic characters within the sessions. Everyone enjoys themselves as they come to chat, enjoy the activities & have a laugh - the Aspire Service Users, Volunteers & Staff.
My advice to those considering a volunteering role is DO IT!!
Being a volunteer has even given me the confidence to try my own craft projects at home.