South Warwickshire volunteering: How your time could be invaluable for others and benefit you
For over 40 years VASA has been supporting the people of South Warwickshire providing community transport, respite for carers, support for people living with dementia and a whole range of social activities for older, isolated people. Key to VASA’s success over the years has been the team of amazing volunteers who give up their time and energy to make a difference to their community.
Volunteer driver Sandra McCappin explains how volunteering for VASA has benefitted her life. After she retired, she realised she had a lot of time on her hands and wanted to keep busy. “One of the most important things for me” she says, “is it gives me purposefulness. A lot of the days I volunteer are really for my own pleasure and I do need to have a good reason to exist.”
Volunteering is a wonderful cycle of helping and mood-boosting hormones. The release of happy hormones like endorphins and oxytocin are released when we do something for others. And by giving something back to our community we are making a significant difference to people’s lives.
Volunteering opportunities
VASA offers lots of volunteering opportunities for people whether it be community driving, helping at its call centre, or being a friendly face and listening ear at a carers group.
Volunteer Drivers are always in demand so if you like driving and have some spare time this may be for you. It may be taking people to hospital appointments, delivering food parcels, or helping families visit loved ones in care homes. It can fit into your everyday life as well, maybe taking someone for their dialysis treatment on your way to work. VASA welcomes any drivers who can offer a few hours a week and of course petrol costs are covered.
Call Handlers to help booking transport journeys can help people develop skills and confidence. Full training is given to use the booking system and then volunteers can decide if they want to work at the office or from home. As one of our volunteers, Jemima Clark said: “It’s just a nice environment and gives you a lot of confidence knowing you’re helping people.”
Carers’ Groups and Day Respite make a real difference to clients, knowing there is a safe place for them, where they feel supported and listened to. Volunteers help out making tea, serving food, and most importantly being friendly and supportive to clients. Lots of activities take place so you may find yourself running a quiz, doing crosswords, or even calling bingo. If you have a particular skill or interest VASA can probably find a role for you.
Keep Fit and Music sessions provide clients a chance to stay active and have fun. Volunteers with an interest in music can help at VASA’s Down Memory Lane group where folks sing their favorites from the 50s to the 80s, singing and music can have an amazing benefit in aiding memory and reminiscence. Regular gentle exercise can help improve balance, stamina and general wellbeing and volunteers also get the chance to gain a recognized qualification to deliver seated exercise classes.
Ambassadors and Fundraising volunteers are essential for VASA to get to the heart of the community. This is a vital role to pass on the message whether in the local pub, corner shop, gym, community centre, or with friends and neighbours. Ambassadors may put flyers up locally, help with a supermarket collection, or man a stall at a local fete.
Add volunteering time to your diary: daily, weekly, or monthly because even a small amount of your time makes a big difference to local charities like VASA. As Sandra says emphatically: “I love volunteering! It’s so beneficial…very cathartic and empowering. It gives me purpose on that day.”
Call VASA to find out more about the volunteering roles they offer or visit their website here . They would love to find a role to fit into your life. Phone 01789 262889 to find out more or email [email protected].