Volunteer of the Month – November

This month’s volunteer is the fantastic Jackie Dearn! Jackie has truly aided the Strode Park Foundation in more ways than one.

Jackie has been volunteering for the foundation for coming up to a year and what a year it has been. Since Jackie’s volunteering journey began, she turned our sorting shed where donations are steamed, sorted and priced upside down. It had a transformation at the hands of Jackie and all her hard work has paid off. We now can deliver weekly to our charity shop from the back of Jackie’s hard work each and every week. As well as this Jackie does help support us at as many events as possible.

Jackie chose to volunteer for Strode Park Foundation because not only is it a charity local to her, but also because it offers a range of volunteering opportunities “from steaming and pricing clothes, to working in the shop and so much more.” In addition, it has also allowed Jackie to make a multitude of friends.

Making friendships is one of Jackie’s favourite parts of the role, volunteering in different aspects from the sorting shed to the music events, Jackie enjoys meeting all of our volunteers and building friendship.

To sum up the volunteering experience, Jackie described volunteering for the foundation as “fulfilling”. It has allowed a sense of fulfilment in Jackie’s life and given her something to work towards each week. Jackie also added to this by exclaiming that one of her favourite parts of her role is “we’re doing something worthwhile and really making a difference to people’s lives.”

Finally, Jackie was asked what advice you would give to someone wanting to start volunteering for the Strode Park Foundation. “If anyone was thinking of volunteering, I would say go for it! You can give as much or as little time as you want or are able, you’ll make lots of new friends, and really feel part of a community”

Thank you, Jackie, for all your continued hard work, we couldn’t provide the wonderful care that we do, without your support.

If you are interested in volunteering and giving the gift of time, then please either call 01227 373292 or email volunteering@strodepark.org.uk.