Volunteering

Volunteers' Week 3 - 9 June 2024

What a wonderful day was had by all on Wednesday 5th June celebrating with a volunteers picnic at the Aldingbourne Trust.
The sun was shining, the band was playing and there was plenty of tea and cake consumed! Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable event. A special thank you to the Aldingbourne Centre for letting us hold the picnic there, the Sleepy Lagoon Orchestra who kept us entertained throughout the event and to the High Sheriff Phillipa Gogarty and the Mayor of Chichester Cllr Sarah Quail who came along to join us, and of course not forgetting all the wonderful volunteers who do a fantastic job in the local community.
Thank you!

Highlights of the Day!

During this Volunteers' Week we will be sharing stories of our local volunteers.

Volunteer Nigel at Aldingbourne Country Centre

Emma from Aldingbourne Country Centre tells us about her volunteer Nigel. “Nigel works with us on Thursday mornings. He has been the domino king! Nigel has been the main domino maker, keeping them all sorted out and marking them out ready to burn or oil. He was also heavily involved with a project we took part in with local artists – we made little, long men of Wilmington. These went to an exhibition in Chichester, and this project has project has also provided some great community links; we have since been invited to a local art studio and more visits to come!”

Marcus volunteering at St Barnabas Hospices

Jo from St Barnabas Hospices tells us about volunteer Marcus. “Marcus first started volunteering for both St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House just over two years ago. However, not many people know what Marcus looks like as he is our very own mascots, Barnabee and Sidney!

Whenever we have an event, Marcus is the first to put himself forward – no event is too challenging for him. He has done so many different and interesting events from cheering on runners at marathons, to riding on a steam train at a conker event, to bed-push races and even helped lead warm-ups for out mass participant events. He is always coming up with great ideas and always brings the characters to life, making people of all ages smile.

We would be lost without Marcus and can’t thank him enough for his dedication, enthusiasm and being a great friend to staff, fellow volunteers, patients and their families. Thank you Marcus!”

Pete volunteering at Ferring Country Centre

We chatted to Pete, who has been volunteering at Ferring Country Centre for 7 years:

I used to sponsor Mr Snuffles, one of the horses there; I had always wanted to work with horses but my job before I retired was a Milkman. I used to know a lady who was involved at Ferring Country Centre, and she suggested volunteering there.

It’s like it was something I’ve waited my whole life to do. It’s opened my eyes and made me see a whole different way of life. The love and warmth you get from the day service customers is incredible. The reward is twofold – I am finally doing what I’ve always wanted to do but I have also gained so much more from it.

We all help and look after each other there and we are one big family. The day service customers put their trust in you and the reward is so worth it.

If you are thinking about volunteering I would say to you don’t just think about volunteering, do it! It gets into your blood and it’s a wonderful feeling. I cherish every moment I am fortunate enough to be there volunteering.

Today, Emma from Aldingbourne tells us about volunteer Lois.

“Lois works with us 3 times a week. She brings some brilliant ideas to the group. One of her main ones was making little driftwood houses – we turned them into key holders. I took some to the South of England show and they all sold out! We are currently making some more to put in the shop. Lois also has other ideas to make some coasters with resin since she is the resin queen!”

We chatted with Annette who volunteers at Ferring Country Centre

She says, “I used to work in the scientific civil service. After having children, I went to work in a mainstream school, but then I had an opportunity to work with children and adults with disabilities. I really enjoyed working with them - they were just lovely. That’s how it all started!

After I moved down to West Sussex to be near my daughter, someone approached me to ask if I might like to volunteer. I now volunteer in the woodwork department at Ferring Country Centre (as well as on the pétanque terrain!):  We’re currently making wooden sheep, pigs and llamas to go around the centre, then we going to make some to sell in the visitors centre. The day service customers are so enthusiastic, I supervise them sawing, sanding and building the wooden planters, I can really see them developing and learning.”

Shitou is a volunteer and came to the area as an asylum seeker

Shitou recently attended one of our events to talk about his volunteering journey in this country. An amazing man who just wants to give back to the local community, Shitou currently volunteers at Bridge to Unity, Stonepillow, Graylingwell Chapel and UK Harvest!

He says, “Before I arrived in the UK, a lot of things happened to me. I used to be a designer, I had my own career and I have a beautiful family. But that all changed. I am a proud person, and that is one of the reasons I volunteer; I want to give something back.

I’m always thinking, what can I do for this country when I’ve been given so much? I feel very happy to be a volunteer, and I want to thank everyone I meet there. All I have to offer is blood, toil, sweat and tears.”
Read Shitou’s full story (PDF)

Volunteers Celebration Picnic, Tuesday 6th June

11.30am – 2pm at the Private Garden of the Bishop’s Palace in Chichester.

What a fantastic day was had by all. We were delighted to welcome around 200 visitors from 27 local organisations to our Volunteers’ Picnic at the Bishops Palace private gardens.

The wonderful Out Sing Cancer Choir performed in the beautiful surroundings, and it was a fantastic opportunity during Volunteers Week for us recognise the invaluable contribution local volunteers make in our communities and to thank them for their continued support.

Thank you to all those who contributed to the success of the event and to all those who attended.”

Watch it all here on this video!