RVS The Volunteer Summer 2020

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ALL YOUR NEWS!

ROYALVOLUNTARYSERVICE.ORG.UK| SUMMER 2020

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From around the country

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OUR HEROES THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR RAPID RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS CENTRE STAGE

POSITIVE EFFECTS

OPEN TO EVERYONE

AMBASSADOR ELAINE PAIGE IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE TROLLEY ROUND

THE PERSONAL BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME

TO GET ACTIVE, COME ALONG TO THE VIRTUAL VILLAGE HALL

VOLUNTEER PROFILE @ RAISING VITAL FUNDS @ SHETLAND HUFFSIE RECIPE

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THE VOLUNTEER

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M&G PLC SUPPORTS OUR EMERGENCY APPEAL The Coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented event in our lifetime, and we are mobilising volunteers to support Britain as we did during WW2, when we helped communities cope with the hardships of war.

Royal Voluntary Service has launched a national emergency appeal to raise £5million to enable us to provide a lifeline to tens of thousands of older and vulnerable people during this crisis now and in the months to come, and reduce pressure on the NHS frontline.

Our long standing partner, leading savings and investment company M&G plc, has generously donated to our appeal and with their support we will deliver telephone welfare checks and companionship calls, support people with transport to essential GP and hospital appointments and help people to access groceries on a regular basis. We are incredibly grateful to M&G plc for their continued support at this challenging time.

Jane Rawnsley, Group Head of Corporate Responsibility, says: $W WKLV SDUWLFXODUO\ GLƯFXOW WLPH 0 * SOF LV SURXG WR EH VXSSRUWLQJ 5R\DO 9ROXQWDU\ 6HUYLFH DQG WKH WKRXVDQGV RI SHRSOH DFURVV %ULWDLQ WKH\ DUH KHOSLQJ WKH FKDULW\ DQG LWV YROXQWHHUV DQG VWDƪ DUH SOD\LQJ D FULWLFDO UROH GXULQJ WKH FULVLV

Lesley Smith is 58, and lives in Falkirk, she volunteers 6 days a week for Royal Voluntary Service.

Lesley collects and delivers shopping and prescriptions for vulnerable and older people in her local area.

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Royal Voluntary Service is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 2520413. Registered office Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8RP. All statistics and data correct at time of publication. Registered charity 1015988 (England and Wales) & SC038924 (Scotland).

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SUMMER 2020

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Sign up to receive our new email newsletter called Volunteer News at royalvoluntaryservice.org. uk/thevolunteer

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WELCOME

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STORIES OF COMPASSION

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oronavirus has changed our way of life. The past few months have been difficult for all of us, but the one shining light for me has been the abundance of compassion.

Stories of compassion – as well as creativity and flexibility – flood this issue. On page 8 we look at the charity’s role in the coronavirus response, of which I’m immensely proud. You will find out about the doorstep deliveries and phone calls replacing lunch clubs, the array of activities taking place in our new Virtual Village Hall and the carers forums providing vital support.

I’m particularly proud of helping the NHS by delivering the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme in England. Through that we have welcomed new volunteers, including cover star Kimberley Harvey, who you can read more about on page 8.

While I fully expected to be sharing stories of Volunteers’ Week parties in this issue, I’m pleased so many new and experienced volunteers joined the thank you event we held at our Virtual Village Hall.

Read all about this on page 16.

If you didn’t attend, may I take this opportunity to thank you; whether you have had to pause the service you provide or adapt the way you deliver it, I can’t thank you enough for your support and for remaining part of the Royal Voluntary Service family.

Now more than ever we want to make sure we stay in touch. If you haven’t already, you can sign up to receive email alerts at royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ thevolunteer or, if you would like help, please contact 029 2274 9704.

My warmest wishes to you and your families.

I hope you stay safe and well.

Catherine Johnstone CBE CEO, Royal Voluntary Service

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6 LOCAL NEWS

12 FEEL-GOOD FA C T O R

‘Keep active’ campaign, and donations to help us help others

From ocean dips to portrait painting, what’s happening in your area

The positive personal ãæïæģõô ðç åðïâõêïè úðöó time to help others

18 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? Royal Voluntary Service íâöïäéæô âññæâí çðó äðóðïâ÷êóöô çöïåô

19 SHETLAND HUFFSIE How to bake this åæíêäêðöô çóöêõ äâìæ ðóêèêïâõêïè çóðî õéæ êôíâïå ðç Þéâíôâú

BIG READ 8 CORONAVIRUS HEROES Þéæõéæó äâõæóêïè telephoning or making deliveries, our volunteers âïå ôõâĢ éâ÷æ ôõæññæå öñ adapting and innovating õð îâìæ â óæâí åêĢæóæïäæ during the lockdown

16 LOG IN AND GET BUSY From cooking to Zumba, there are activities galore to keep you busy at the Virtual Village Hall

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Ûæíí öô øéâõ úðö õéêïì ðç õéæ îâèâûêïæ ôæïå öô úðöó ÷ðíöïõææóêïè ôõðóêæô ðó íæõ öô ìïðø âãðöõ âï êïôñêóêïè îæîãæó ðç úðöó õæâî Ðï æ÷æóú êôôöæ Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ øâïõô õð ôéðøäâôæ ôðîæ ðç êõô îðôõ óæîâóìâãíæ ÷ðíöïõææóô âïå õæíí ôõðóêæô that deserve to be heard. Email internalcomms@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk, call us on 029 2274 9704 or write to The Volunteer îâèâûêïæ Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ Éæäì Êðöóõ ÊâóåêĢ Îâõæ Éöôêïæôô ×âóì ÊâóåêĢ ÊÍ ! &Ù×

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SUMMER 2020 | NEWS

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ALL THE LATEST FROM ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE Êâîñâêèï õð ìææñ ñæðñíæ âäõê÷æ êï íðäìåðøï ģïâïäêâí âêå âïå êï÷æôõîæïõ õð éæíñ öô ôöññðóõ äðîîöïêõêæô õéóðöèé õéæ ñâïåæîêä ÞÙÝÚ èóâïõô âïå äâóêïè äâóåô

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KEEP ACTIVE AND STAY HEALTHY We are one of 15 charities leading We Are Undefeatable, a campaign supporting people with long-term health conditions to be active.

Keeping active is good for health and wellbeing, and is more important than ever for people with health conditions who are spending

PHILANTHROPISTS JULIA AND HANS RAUSING BACK ÝÖÓÜÕÛÌÌÙ ÙÌÚ×ÖÕÚÌ ÛÖ ÊÖÝÐ˱ ' ×ÈÕËÌÔÐÊ Volunteers are playing a crucial role in supporting communities through the challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Julia and Hans Rausing who have made a generous donation to help us mobilise support to reach those who need it most. Ûéæ ñéêíâïõéóðñêôõô øéð ôæõ öñ â õóöôõ õð ãæïæģõ ôðäêæõú êï the UK, said: “We have been impressed by the huge number ðç ñæðñíæ ðĢæóêïè õéæêó õêîæ âô ÷ðíöïõææóô êï óæôñðïôæ õð õéæ äðóðïâ÷êóöô äóêôêô Þæďóæ ñíæâôæå õð ðĢæó ðöó ôöññðóõ õð Ùðúâí Voluntary Service volunteers to enable them to provide practical help, and alleviate the impact of isolation, on vulnerable people.”

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more time at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Research by DJS Research highlights that COVID-19 has become the biggest barrier to physical activity for those with health conditions, more so than worries about pain or making the condition worse.

We are encouraging people to keep moving despite the restrictions of lockdown. Even small amounts of activity in and around the home throughout the day can make a difference. It doesn’t have to be a rigorous exercise video, it could just be dancing around the living room, stretching while watching television or doing some gardening.

If someone you know is managing a health condition and needs support to be active at home, try to reassure them that however they move it can help them stay well.

For tips on how to move more at home visit WeAreUndefeatable.co.uk

View updates online ROYALVOLUNTARY ÚÌÙÝÐÊÌ ÖÙÎ ÜÒ¶ NEWS

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Royal Voluntary Service ambassador Wayne Sleep OBE had everyone on their toes when he visited our Hanley Centre in Stoke-onTrent to take part in a line dancing class.

Wayne was there to make â ģíî øêõé ðöó ñâóõïæó Yakult, the second in a series of three, to showcase the åêĢæóæïäæ ÷ðíöïõææóô îâìæ in keeping older people socially connected in the community and aiding recovery in hospital.

“It was clear from the dancers’ smiles, noisy chatter and laughter, that the group I visited is so important - and a welcoming place for people to get together regularly with friends and connect with others,” said Wayne.

“The volunteers I met were just amazing. Not only are they giving their time to run these brilliant dance classes for people in their community, they are staying active too.”

Yakult, a brand that cares about promoting healthy ageing, is a valued supporter of Royal Voluntary Service and has been involved in a number of our Ĥâèôéêñ çöïåóâêôêïè campaigns and events.

NEWS IN BRIEF

PHONE SUPPORT

IT’S GOOD TO TALK APPLY FOR A WRVS GRANT Ðç úðö ģïå úðöóôæíç ôõóöèèíêïè ģïâïäêâííú the WRVS Benevolent Trust provides grants to help make everyday life easier.

Current as well as former WVS, WRVS, Royal Voluntary Service or WRVS Services Welfare volunteers âïå ôõâĢ âóæ æíêèêãíæ õð apply at wrvsbt.org.uk.

The only stipulation is that you must have volunteered or worked with one of the organisations for at least 12 months and be on a fairly limited income.

Our partnership with Legal & General is six years old and during that time the company’s staff in Cardiff, Hove and Solihull have volunteered hundreds of hours on our hospital trolley services. They continue to volunteer even through the coronavirus crisis.

While our trolley rounds have stopped, Legal & General employees are giving their time to

phone our clients to see how they are and have a chat. A group of 24 Legal & General staff members have signed up to the scheme and are ringing clients weekly. Chats range from 15 minutes to an hour and staff are able to volunteer during their working day.

Volunteer Toby Wyithe, who is also a Trolley Round Coordinator in Hove, said:

“Once we knew we couldn’t continue with the trolley service, we had to shift our approach to ensure we could still offer our support.

“Knowing we are making a difference to lives in this difficult time is incredibly rewarding.

I look forward to my weekly call and I’m sure I get as much out of it as the the people I speak to.”

ÊÖÔ×ÈÕÐÖÕÚÏÐ× ÊÈÓÓÚ ÛÖ ÝÜÓÕÌÙÈÉÓÌ ×ÌÖ×ÓÌ Volunteers across the country are gearing up to make 100,000 companionship calls to vulnerable people isolating at home during lockdown, thanks to a £200,000 donation from Asda Foundation.

From Shetland to Penzance, we are providing a vital link to the outside world to people øéð âóæ äöõ ðĢ ñéúôêäâííú âïå

socially. Many need help âåëöôõêïè õð â ÷æóú åêĢæóæïõ way of life so volunteers will call for a friendly chat, checking how they are bearing up physically and mentally and signposting other sources of help should they be required.

Asda Foundation has been working with Royal Voluntary Service since 2016, donating

more than £1m for volunteers to provide practical support to thousands of older people through community companionship programmes, dining clubs, community shed spaces, and Christmas hamper deliveries.

SAY IT WITH A CARD Funky Pigeon, the online personalised greetings cards and gift business, has launched a range of 12 charity cards to support Royal Voluntary Service.

Buy a card and 30% of sales will go towards our COVID-19 fundraising appeal.

Customers can use the greetings cards to keep in touch with loved ones or thank key workers and others who have éæíñæå õéæî âõ õéêô åêĥäöíõ õêîæ See the range at Funkypigeon. com/royal-voluntary-service.

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We’d like to say a big thank you to retail ôõâĢ âïå ÷ðíöïõææóô çðó raising an amazing

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA Fundraisers, community initiatives and activities, awards and book reviews

£18,000 for us during Retail Fundraising Week

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BATHING BELLES Braving the cold weather earlier this year before lockdown, five retail staff and volunteers raised £1,000 for Royal Voluntary Service after taking a dip at Aberavon beach in Port Talbot.

They certainly know how to put the fun into fundraising by getting dressed up in colourful costumes for the day.

Well done to everyone in the team: Angela Perrin, RSM Wales and Midlands; Ann Radford, Service Manager Neath Port Talbot; Julie Taylor, Service Assistant; June Welsh, Service Assistant; and Allyson Griffiths, Service Assistant.

From swim to sweepstake for the enterprising retail crew

ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO OPEN IN THE HIGHLANDS There are three new micro branches in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands that will be back in operation after lockdown restrictions ease. Ûéæóæ øêíí ãæ â çðóõïêèéõíú äðĢææ and chat drop-in at Dingwall Community Centre, in partnership with Legion Scotland; a fortnightly boccia seated bowling activity in Muir of Ord village hall and a hospital ward visiting branch in Ross Memorial Hospital.

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There are also plans in the area to set up a gardening activity branch with the museum in ÚõóâõéñæĢæó âïå â ïæø îæïďô ôéæå in Muir of Ord village hall. The men’s shed will be supported by Muir of Ord Community Hub and may become either a branch or an independent shed.

Meanwhile, Royal Voluntary Service will also be supporting a Poppyscotland monthly veterans’ drop-in pilot group in Alness.

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BOOK REVIEWS

Wendy Fruin, a Volunteer Êððóåêïâõðó âõ ÏêèéäíêĢæ Home Library Service with 15 years’ service, recommends her favourite books DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON

BY WILLIAM ANDREWS A beautiful antique comb given to two young Korean girls by their mother, before they were forced to become ‘comfort women’ by the Japanese during the Second World War, holds the secret to their background. This story gave me an insight into the inhumane acts of war and showed how one of the girls survived by æôäâñêïè ģóôõ êïõð Õðóõé Òðóæâ and then South Korea.

THE FOURTH PROTOCOL

BY FREDERICK FORSYTH This is all about MI5 and the story of ôõâĢ øéð âóæ ôñêæô under deep cover. It is intrigue at its best and highly believable. A top Russian agent is discovered in the UK, with instructions to receive various parts of an atomic bomb. Kim Philby is in the background plotting to help bring about revolution in Britain.

AWA R D S

THANKS TO OUR LONGSERVING VOLUNTEERS Well done to Katharine Bowen, Julie Robson and Sally-Anne Holt of Sherborne Home Library Service in Dorset who were presented with Royal Voluntary Úæó÷êäæ âøâóåô çðó " âïå ģ÷æ úæâóô ðç volunteering respectively.

The local team delivers books to more õéâï # ñæðñíæ øéð ģïå êõ åêĥäöíõ õð èæõ õð the library.

And congratulations to Trevor Randall and Laurel Burn, admin volunteers at the Ëðóäéæôõæó Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ ðĥäæ who received a well-deserved Volunteer Group of the Year award at a ceremony organised by Volunteer Centre Dorset.

Trevor and Laurel put in many hours â øææì ôöññðóõêïè õéæ ôõâĢ âïå Óðäâí Volunteer Coordinators in Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth, and were presented with their awards by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.

IN THE FRAME John Aylward, the talented Volunteer Coordinator of the Kensington âïå Êéæíôæâ Êðîîöïêõú Êðîñâïêðïô ôæó÷êäæ éâô ðĢæóæå õð ñâêïõ portraits to raise money for Royal Voluntary Service.

Money raised will be split between the charity and his local service.

John only needs a photograph to paint from and will produce an A3 portrait, acrylic on canvas textured paper with a white frame. The suggested price is a donation of at least £100, and John has already had commissions had commissions for for £100 £100 and and some some for for as as much much as as £300. £300. Ûð ģïå ðöõ îðóæ æîâêí çöïåóâêôêïè®óðúâí÷ðíöïõâóúôæó÷êäæ ðóè öì

ROGUE MALE

BY GEOFFREY HOUSEHOLD A classic thriller, published in 1939, about an assassin éæóð øéð Ĥææô his torturers to Dorset. Pursued across Europe by Nazis, he goes to ground. The Rogue Male must strip away all the trappings of status and civilization as the hunter becomes a hunted animal and goes underground, literally.

A thrilling story with isolation and survival described in great detail.

Julie Robson, Katharine Bowen and Sally-Anne Holt from Sherborne Home Library Service (top) and Trevor Randall and Laurel Burn with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset (above)

MAKE A SPECIAL DEDICATION There are times when we want to share something about a loved one who is no longer with us.

With this in mind, we have set up a dedication page - a space to share a thought, quote, story ðó ñêäõöóæ Õð åðïâõêðï êô ïææåæå õð âåå â åæåêäâõêðï Ûð ģïå ðöõ îðóæ ÷êôêõ royalvoluntaryservice. dedicationpage.org/celebratealife

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WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU Our new volunteer heroes stepped forward when the NHS faced its biggest ever crisis, writes Angela McManus

W

hen the call went out to recruit an army of 250,000 volunteers to support the 1.5 million people asked to shield at home from the coronavirus, the response was overwhelming.

Within days 750,000 stepped forward with 600,000 going on to become approved volunteers. These citizens were ready to be mobilised in the biggest operation for the Royal Voluntary Service since the Second World War. The NHS Volunteer Responders were brought in to relieve some of the pressure on the NHS in England. Health professionals registered a request for help on the GoodSAM app, which was matched with a nearby Volunteer Responder.

Harjeet Singh Marwaha, 47, from Birmingham, is one of our new volunteers. He signed up to be an NHS Volunteer Responder after being furloughed from his job at the

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Department for Work and Pensions. He wanted to support vulnerable people in his local, rural community, as he knew they would be isolating.

“I wanted to give something back. I have been doing check in and chat and community response roles, and have found the entire process incredibly rewarding,” he says. “For some of the people I’ve helped, I am the only person they have contact with in a day. To be able to improve that person’s quality of life has been an amazing experience.”

Kimberley Harvey from Portsmouth is another one of our new volunteers. The 30-year-old had been furloughed from her job as a recruitment consultant and wanted to help. Kimberley has been busy picking up shopping, doing pharmacy runs and chatting on the phone to people stuck at home who might be lonely. One call really struck a chord when Kimberley gave a local man in his 60s a lift to a hospital appointment for cancer treatment.

“It felt special because it was about actually being with another person rather than doing a job for someone. It’s difficult enough for him to have cancer, but in the middle of all this it’s a real worry,” she says. “He lives about 20 doors down from me and I’ve never seen him before. I live in such a busy part of Portsmouth, there’s no way I would have known who he was before this. Now when I see him again on the street I’ll say hello.”

How does it feel to be playing a part in the nation’s response to coronavirus?

“I genuinely feel I’m just doing my bit. It’s lovely to speak to someone when they need your help and you can complete that task,” smiles Kimberley.

Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service Catherine Johnstone CBE says the selflessness of our volunteers has inspired the nation.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we’ve received since the launch.

Demonstrating the continued love and support of our NHS in this difficult time has given hope to everyone working on the frontline,” she says.

O Tell your friends, families and neighbours to call 0808 196 3646 if they need support

Left: NHS volunteer responders such as Harjeet Singh Marwaha and Kimberley Harvey have stepped up in their thousands to help vulnerable people who are shielding Clockwise below: Lindsay Bennett, Lee Fotheringham and Mona Sheikh

‘WE’RE DOING THINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS’ Our volunteer-led and commissioned services adapted to meet new needs

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ervices up and down the country were hit when the coronavirus crisis took hold. The companionship service for older people run in Batley, West Yorkshire, with funding from the Jo Cox Foundation, had to close its doors, ending face-to-face contact.

Volunteers who usually visit clients started doing welfare calls and shopping for those who are shielding.

“There was panic in the first few weeks when supermarkets were emptying,” remembers Fazila Aswat, Kirklees Community Service Manager for Connecting Communities Legacy.

“The problem we have is that a lot of our clients only pay with cash – they don’t have cards or do online banking. A group of university students had done some fundraising for us and we used that money to buy shopping for those who were struggling.”

Royal Voluntary Service also provided 450 food bags to distribute.

REACHING OUT “We’ve been able to do things, but in different ways. We work closely with the local authority and have about 178 volunteers helping across the area supporting 350 people,” adds Fazila.

“We have people with dementia and the pandemic has had a huge impact on them.

Volunteers have dropped off adult colouring books and jigsaws. We’ve done a lot to meet welfare needs as the mental health aspect started to affect some people after the first month. So we upped the telephone support and sent cards to say, ‘We’re thinking of you’.

“Many people are on their own and don’t have support apart from our volunteers.”

“THE TEAM HAS STEPPED UP AND COPED WITH THIS REMARKABLE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES WONDERFULLY. THEY’VE BEEN PROACTIVE AND POSITIVE” food parcels to those who needed help most. In less than two months, the team made 1,500 phone calls, 50 shopping and prescription-collecting trips, and 32 food parcel deliveries.

“The team has stepped up and coped with this remarkable set of circumstances wonderfully. They’ve been proactive and settled into the new support mode really well. I’d like to thank staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment,” adds Lindsay.

Meanwhile, Kirklees volunteer Mona Sheikh went the extra mile by completing 26 2.6k runs while fasting during Ramadan to raise money for Royal Voluntary Service in the 2.6 Challenge.

Kirklees Home Library Service put an emergency support plan into action when all work was paused. Staff and volunteers picked up the phones to call the area’s 500 clients – many over 70 with underlying health conditions – for a chat.

“This helped those who may not have a large support network have something to look forward to,” says Lindsay Bennett, Manager of Kirklees Home Library Service. “It also enabled us to assess whether some needed more help.”

The team set up a shopping and prescription-collecting service and delivered

FOOD FOR THOUGHT When coronavirus forced the Bellrock Cafe at the Scottish Veterans Residences in Glasgow to close, the seven volunteers could no longer get involved because of their age and health. Service Manager Lee Fotheringham stepped in.

The cafe had already been receiving food donations after joining the Neighbourly initiative, so Lee made a decision to share the food donations with other local services, including a church and food bank in East Kilbride and a nearby hospital.

“We let people know that if they needed food and were struggling, we could help,” says Lee. “We’re providing food donations to hundreds of people now.”

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cross the UK, Royal Voluntary Service retail operations were forced to close when the country went into lockdown in order to ensure the safety of our teams at the peak of the pandemic.

The shops and cafes at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in the Wirral, Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride and Macclesfield General Hospital were the only ones to stay open. Their staff have worked through the pandemic to provide a vital service offering food to patients and staff.

Debbie Morris, Retail Service Manager at Clatterbridge, says an emergency meeting with Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust took place when a decision was made at first to close the shop and cafe.

“We were passionate about staying open. It’s a cancer unit and we have some very unwell people. It’s a really closeknit unit,” she explains. “Because of Clatterbridge’s location, there is nowhere else for staff and patients to go.”

Changes were immediately put in place with new signage, screens at the tills and social distancing measures.

“We’re now also providing all the food for the doctors and

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Commissioned services provide vital links with older people

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“WE WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT STAYING OPEN. IT’S A CANCER UNIT AND WE HAVE SOME VERY ÜÕÞÌÓÓ ×ÌÖ×ÓÌ ÐÛďÚ È ÙÌÈÓÓà ÊÓÖÚ̱ÒÕÐÛ ÜÕÐÛĒ nurses on the COVID-19 ward upstairs,” adds Debbie. “They come in to do 12-hour shifts and can’t leave. Now they can print off menus and fill them in. We go to the ward and collect them and take the food up. We do breakfast and lunch, and

The strong relationships that volunteers forge with clients can îâìæ âíí õéæ åêĢæóæïäæ êï èæõõêïè the right help when it’s needed.

Myra Bennett (left), a volunteer with our Ceredigion Country Cars transport scheme, had got to know Betty, a local woman in her 90s who has severe sight and hearing problems, but coped well in her own home with the support of her family and local services.

That changed when the country went into lockdown and Betty was isolated on her own at home.

Her family were key workers and couldn’t visit because they were scared of passing on the virus.

Although the town of Aberaeron had local coordinators, their contact details were on a small card that Myra knew Betty would be unable to read.

“I thought it would be nice for Betty to know there’s someone around who can help her, so I wrote down my number and the coordinator’s number in large writing, and explained the situation,” says Myra.

“I could see she was anxious and needed help. Social services were involved, but there was a mix-up âïå Éæõõú øâô ðĢæóæå ôðîæõéêïè she didn’t really need. With her permission I kept ringing social

services until we managed to iron out her needs, which were to bring someone in once a week to help with personal care.

“I’m pleased to have plugged that gap. The situation has been frightening for Betty, as her whole life had been turned upside down.

“Because I knew her, my assistance was in a way more æĢæäõê÷æ Þéæïæ÷æó ôéæ ïææåô something now she can ring me âïå Ð ðĢæó éæó õæíæñéðïæ ôöññðóõ and do little jobs for her. đÛéæ õæíæñéðïæ ôöññðóõ ðĢæóæå by all our volunteers has been ðç èóæâõ ãæïæģõ õð äíêæïõô åöóêïè these unprecedented times.”

FEEDING THE NATION

can make just about anything they ask for. The staff love it – we were nominated for Hospital Heroes.”

Debbie works with three members of staff to ensure that the shop and cafe can operate reduced hours of 9am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. “This has brought us all together. I have always had a superb relationship with the Trust and we always worked well together, but this has really bonded us,” she says. “I feel privileged to be able to open and provide a service to staff and patients.”

In a partnership with Lidl, Royal Voluntary Service has been handing out fresh fruit and vegetable bags to NHS frontline health workers across the country, as well as funding to support vulnerable people.

“It’s our mission to give support to those who need it in the community and in hospitals.

We commend the country’s ãóêííêâïõ ÕÏÚ ôõâĢ êï âíí õéæ important work they are doing during this challenging situation,” says Sam Ward, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services for Royal Voluntary Service.

Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl UK, says the äðîñâïú øâô ôð èóâõæçöí õð ÕÏÚ ôõâĢ çðó õéæêó work keeping the nation safe.

“This is our small gesture to say thank you and éæíñ ñóð÷êåæ ÕÏÚ ôõâĢ øéð îâú ïðõ ãæ âãíæ õð get in store regularly for basic groceries, with fresh fruit and vegetables. We hope that through working with Royal Voluntary Service to donate these bags to hospitals we can help make a åêĢæóæïäæ õð õéæêó åâêíú íê÷æô Ē éæ ôâúô

“IT’S OUR MISSION TO GIVE SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN HOSPITALS”

PURPOSE AND POSITIVITY

CARER SUPPORT

Darren McAllister (right) wanted to do something to help others when he was furloughed from his job as a customer services adviser. The 23-year-old from Perth decided to get in touch with Royal Voluntary Service as he wanted to give something back to the community during the pandemic.

“I’ve been delivering food parcels to vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross who wouldn’t be able to get out and getting shopping for them. It feels really good to help people and make sure those who can’t get out are okay,” he says.

Darren enjoys volunteering and says it gives him purpose and positivity.

The suspension of face-to-face groups has also had an impact on carers, as they no longer have the opportunity to meet up with other carers.

Now virtual peer-support sessions have been set up by Doncaster Dementia Support to enable carers to share experiences, support each other and de-stress.

All sessions are facilitated by a Royal Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ ôõâĢ îæîãæó Ûð join, carers can call 02920 739095 and when prompted add the pin 9175340#. Calls are charged at standard landline rates.

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Left: The team at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre have continued to provide their valuable ôæó÷êäæ õð ÕÏÚ ôõâĢ âïå ñâõêæïõô õéóðöèéðöõ the coronavirus pandemic

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Volunteering isn’t just about helping others – donating your time has positive personal benefits, writes Claire Henderson

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eople often consider volunteering as a way of helping others, but our recent survey has highlighted the positive, sometimes life-changing, impact it can have on the volunteers themselves.

In the autumn we invited staff and volunteers to tell us about their experiences volunteering. The feedback was inspiring. Many reported significant improvements in their emotional, mental and physical health, with almost all saying it had given them a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

And for some, volunteering has transformed their lives, helping them to overcome depression and isolation, or leading to paid employment and a brighter future.

Heather Anderson was a single mum struggling to get off benefits when she began helping out at a Royal Voluntary Service day centre. The skills and experience that Heather gained not only led to her first paid job, it also made her something of a role model to her two children.

“I was desperate to find work and make something of my life, but no one would take me on because I’d only ever been a full-time mum. Volunteering was a way to get out of the house and get the experience I needed to get a ‘real’ job,” she says.

Heather, 36, spent six months supporting visitors to the Royal Voluntary Service day centre in Doncaster, before joining the team in Rotherham in 2014. She now helps there and until lockdown was going into people’s homes and helping them keep active and independent.

Heather, from Warmsworth, Doncaster, was able to fit her volunteering commitments around raising her children – Curtis, now 18, and Olivia, 12.

“As they were growing up my kids thought it was a normal job. Two days a week I would drop them at school and go to my voluntary work,” she says.

“I feel it’s made me a good role model for them. They saw me getting out of the house and going to work, so now they want to do the same.”

Two years after she began with Royal Voluntary Service, Heather was offered a paid job as a support worker, which she now does three days a week, alongside her volunteering.

“I love my voluntary work, I didn’t want to just give it up.

Luckily I’m able to do both,” she says.

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“THIS HAS MADE ME A GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR MY KIDS. THEY SAW ME GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GOING TO WORK” Heather, along with 14% of those who responded to our annual survey, credits volunteering with increasing her ability to get paid work. “If it wasn’t for my volunteering journey I wouldn’t be where I am now,” she says. “People sometimes ask, ‘Why would you work for free?’, but it gives you confidence and helps you to succeed in life.”

IMPROVING EMOTIONAL HEALTH There is no doubt that the services we provide have a significant positive effect on those who use them, with a heartening 89% of participants and clients surveyed saying they feel happier thanks to our support.

And three-quarters of participants said they had been able to do important things they enjoy, and to have more social contact thanks to Royal Voluntary Service.

An improvement in emotional health was also reported by volunteers themselves (61%), while more than half (59%) felt they were more physically active as a result of their involvement with the charity.

For Sue Weeks, donating her time helped her to find happiness again after a difficult period in her life.

“I HAVE HEARD ABOUT SOMEONE WHOSE CONFIDENCE WAS BOOSTED IN SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS FROM THEIR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE” Sue, 73, found herself struggling to see a way forward after the breakdown of a long-term relationship.

“I lost my home and was left with a lot of debt,” she says.

“I became quite depressed and reclusive. I didn’t want to burden my children, I didn’t want to see anyone.”

For Sue Weeks volunteering was “the best thing I ever did” and Heather Anderson (right with one of her clients), credits it with getting her into paid work

RESULTS FROM OUR ANNUAL SURVEY WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE TOLD US

70%

have more social contact

feel more socially connected

79%

93%

feel they are making a positive impact

have learned new skills

61%

86%

enjoy a sense of satisfaction/ purpose

WHAT THOSE WE HELP HAVE TOLD US

89%

feel happier

feel healthier

66%

74%

feel part of the community

feel more able to cope

69%

79%

feel able to do more

RENEWED PURPOSE A friend suggested volunteering would help Sue regain her lost confidence, but it took two years and three nerveracking attempts for her to pluck up the courage to walk through the doors of her local Royal Voluntary Service centre – Chesham House Community Centre & Vintage Tearoom, in Lancing, West Sussex.

“The first time I just stood outside and froze,” she laughs.

“I did the same the second time, but on the third try I managed to go in, shaking from head to foot... it turned out to be the best thing I ever did.”

Sue, a grandmother of one, began helping in the tearoom two days a week, and loved it so much she’s still there five years later.

“It’s changed my life completely,” she says. “I’d always been quite shy, but I feel it’s brought my true personality out and has made me a better person.

“I’ve made so many friends and it makes me feel younger being there. I even help train some of the new volunteers.

I have a renewed purpose. Life is great now.”

Rebecca Kennelly, Director of Volunteering at Royal Voluntary Service, says that she never ceases to be amazed by those personal stories that show how volunteering has changed the lives of some of our volunteers.

“I have heard about someone whose confidence was boosted in social and professional settings from their volunteering experience, another who moved to a new area and found a new purpose in life and a new friendship group.

“Each story shows a powerful journey and demonstrates how volunteering gives purposefulness and support to those who need it.”

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Broadway and West End star Elaine Paige is our newest Ambassador. She visited Leicester General Hospital before lockdown to help with a trolley round

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“I’d like to thank all of the volunteers who give their time so selflessly to support others in hospital and the community. I feel privileged to have seen first-hand the extraordinary effect volunteers have on the patients at the Leicester General Hospital and just how much they are appreciated.

“I was overwhelmed by their dedication and passion for helping others and would like to thank each and every one of them for the tangible difference they make.”

What is it like being an Ambassador for Royal Voluntary Service?

I’m the new girl on the block, I got involved two years ago. I get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that, other than singing, I have made people happy.

I’ve got a bit of time. I know it’s a cliché, but I’m really enjoying being able to give something back.

Wayne Sleep and Felicity Kendal are Ambassadors and sometimes we get together with Royal Voluntary Service when they have a bash. People in our profession are very blessed and have had marvellous careers, and now we have the time it’s great to be able to do this. You only get out what you put in.

You met patients on the ward?

I told one of the lady patients who I was and she said, ‘Oh, I love your singing.’ So I gave her the first verse of ‘Memory’ (from Cats), and then the poor woman dissolved into tears, which wasn’t the idea at all!

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Royal Voluntary Society Ambassador Elaine Page left volunteers and patients at Leicester General Hospital with some great memories when she visited earlier this year

She was thrilled to have been sung to personally, which was nice, and then asked for my autograph. It was lovely to sing for her and have a chat with her and her grandson, who is a tennis coach. So I said, ‘Oh I love tennis,’ and we nearly went off on one of those conversations.

It’s that thing of communicating and sharing your time with people you don’t know but who are clearly struggling – they’re in hospital, which is not the best place to be.

Why are the trolley volunteers so important?

It’s a service which in some respects

THANK YOU This year’s Volunteers’ Week was particularly special

is as vital as NHS nurses are, in that it helps on a more emotional level.

Around two-fifths of patients see no visitors at all. Of course this has a detrimental effect on their health and the speed of their recovery. We want to try to help people get well – and quicker.

Why should people volunteer?

It’s such fun to do and you meet great people. If you are getting older, it’s crucial to remain fit and well. Being involved with Royal Voluntary Service encourages people to meet up with each other, to get out there and try something new. Sometimes when you do that you surprise yourself. It’s a fantastic organisation, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

“IT’S THAT THING OF COMMUNICATING AND SHARING YOUR TIME ÞÐÛÏ ×ÌÖ×ÓÌ àÖÜ ËÖÕďÛ ÒÕÖÞ ÉÜÛ ÞÏÖ ÈÙÌ ÊÓÌÈÙÓà ÚÛÙÜÎÎÓÐÕÎ ² THEY’RE IN HOSPITAL, WHICH IS NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE”

Royal Voluntary Service President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, gave a personal thank you to our volunteers and NHS Volunteer Responders in an online event at the Virtual Village Hall to mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, which ran from 1-7 June.

“The past weeks have seen a surge in volunteering, the like of which few will be able to recall. We now have a veritable army of 18,000 RVS volunteers and a staggering 600,000 NHS Volunteer Responders,” she said.

“Whether you have been volunteering for decades, or are newly on call, you are all thoughtful people, giving your skill, energy and time to support and care for others. And you make me incredibly proud of our country and our national willingness to step forward to help in a challenging climate.

“May I salute all the unsung heroes and thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.”

The event recognised the commitment of volunteers and was supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. There were messages and exclusive performances by former royal harpist Anne Denolm, Michael and Jowita, the winners of the BBC show The Greatest Dancer, and members of The London Contemporary Voices choir.

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�êïü â óâïèÌ ðç activities online at Virtual Village Hall

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Don’t get bored at home – visit our Virtual Village Hall, packed with activities for everyone

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KEEP MOVING “I’ve visited social clubs run by volunteers and have seen ģóôþ Êâïü þÊÌ üêĢÌóÌïäÌ þÊÌú ÎâÏÌ to people’s lives, particularly those øÊð Îâú ĂŻĂ°Ăľ ôðäêâíêôÌ Ă°Ăł Ă´ĂŚĂŚ ðþÊÌó people regularly,â€? says Royal Ă?ðíÜïþâóú ÚÌóáêäÌ ĂˆĂŽĂŁĂ˘Ă´Ă´Ă˘ĂĽĂ°Ăł Felicity Kendal CBE. đËÜóêïè þÊêô äÊâííÌïèêïè þêÎÌ when we can’t get out and about, ĂŞĂľÄ?Ă´ áêþâííú êÎùðóþâïþ çðó ðÜó ÊÌâíþÊ âïü øÌííãÌêïè þÊâþ øÌ ÄŁĂŻĂĽ øâúô þð ĂŹĂŚĂŚĂą ðÜó ãóâêïô øðóÏêïè âïü ðÜó ĂŁĂ°ĂĽĂŞĂŚĂ´ Îðáêïè “The Virtual Village Hall is a great øâú þð ĂŚĂŻĂŤĂ°Ăş þÊÌ þÊêïèô øÌ Ă­ĂŞĂŹĂŚ üðêïè âïü íÌâóï Ă´Ă°ĂŽĂŚ ïÌø Ă°ĂŻĂŚĂ´ þðð Ä‘Ă?Ä?ĂŽ íððÏêïè çðóøâóü þð ãÌêïè âãíÌ þð áêôêþ ÎðóÌ Ùðúâí Ă?ðíÜïþâóú ÚÌóáêäÌ ôðäêâí äíÜãô ðïäÌ þÊêô áÌóú Êâóü þêÎÌ ĂŞĂ´ ðáÌó ÞÌ ÎÜôþ þâÏÌ äðÎçðóþ ĂŞĂŻ þÊÌ çâäþ þÊâþ âíþÊðÜèÊ øÌ âóÌ êôðíâþÌü øÌ are all in this together.â€?

ÛÊðôÌ øÊð äâïÄ?Ăľ þâÏÌ ùâóþ ĂŞĂŻ ôðäêâí äíâôôÌô üÜóêïè íðäÏüðøï äâï þóú â óâïèÌ ðç Ă°ĂŻĂ­ĂŞĂŻĂŚ âíþÌóïâþêáÌô

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the sessions are available seven days a week with a choice of live and pre-recorded activities.

There are also downloadable guides to print and share, as well as helpful links to official government guidelines and COVID-19 information. “Our volunteers run hundreds of clubs and groups in local communities that support people to be social and active.

Sadly, with social distancing rules in place, these activities can no longer go ahead,� says Royal Voluntary Service CEO Catherine Johnstone CBE. “Lockdown conditions are particularly tough for older people and those living alone, and we wanted to offer something practical

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rom cooking and crafts to gardening and Zumba, older and younger people who want to beat the boredom of isolation can go online to find a whole new world of activities to get involved in.

Royal Voluntary Service have launched a Virtual Village Hall – visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/VVH to choose from a wide programme of themed video sessions led by expert tutors and well-known faces, as well as our own activity coordinators and volunteers.

The winner of The Great British Sewing Bee in 2019, Juliet Uzor, demonstrates how to sew a simple tote bag, while 2019 MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou shares her quick fried pitta bread recipe and couture stitcher Georgina Bellamy introduces basic embroidery for beginners.

Gardening writer and presenter Terry Walton has hosted two live Q&As. “Gardening provides my exercise in the beautiful open air. It gives me solitude if I need it or companionship on the allotments with like-minded people,� says Terry. “It relieves my stresses and most of all provides me with fresh, tasty, wholesome food. In these worrying times, gardening provides my escape from reality for those precious hours.�

There are also classes on technology skills, gentle exercise, laughter yoga and quizzes.

On the 75th anniversary of VE Day, celebrations included a singalong, a jive class and a 1940s hairstyle tutorial.

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VOLUNTEER PROFILE

GONE FISHING New friendships have been made at a club set up by a volunteer in Glasgow

Presenter and writer Terry Walton says gardening is his stress buster

to relieve the sense of isolation and boredom that many people will be experiencing.

“Visitors to the Virtual Village Hall will find lots of activities they might already enjoy doing as well as a wide range of new things to try. Activities have been designed specifically for older people to do at home and require very little space or equipment.”

Lockdown has been encouraging many older people who have been reluctant in the past to try out new technology and appreciate the benefits it can deliver. It’s easy to access the Virtual Village Hall via the Royal Voluntary Service website.

Furthermore, all of the sessions are available on demand on the Virtual Village Hall YouTube channel.

“We’re delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting Royal Voluntary Service and the Virtual Village Hall. Keeping busy and maintaining a sense of routine have been shown to be helpful in supporting mental health and wellbeing during this time, and learning new skills benefits all of us, whatever our age,” says Hazel Johnstone, Senior Programmes Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery.

Lawrence Meechan has put his skills to èððå öôæ âçõæó éæíñêïè õð ðñæï â ģôéêïè club in Glasgow. Ïæ øðóìô êï õéæ ģïâïäêâí ôæó÷êäæô êïåöôõóú âïå êô âíôð â òöâíêģæå Ĥú ģôéêïè êïôõóöäõðó When Lawrence’s sister asked him to set öñ â ñóðèóâîîæ çðó â ñóðëæäõ óöï ãú Ëóêïì Þêôæ Èèæ Þæíí âïå Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ he jumped at the chance. đÞæ õâìæ ñæðñíæ âøâú âïå õæâäé õéæî ģôéêïè âïå Ĥú ģôéêïè Ē éæ æùñíâêïô đÛéæóæ éâå ãææï â íðõ ðç æïòöêóêæô âãðöõ ģôéêïè and once I set up a programme with tuition åâúô õéðôæ ñæðñíæ øæóæ êï÷êõæå õð äðîæ âíðïè Íóðî õéæóæ øæď÷æ çðóîæå õéæ ÙÝÚ Ïæâåô âïå Ûâêíô Íêôéêïè Êíöã Ē Ëóêïì Þêôæ Èèæ Þæíí âïå Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ éâ÷æ çöïåæå õóâïôñðóõ âïå õöêõêðï đÐõďô çâãöíðöô ôöññðóõ øéêäé îæâïô âíí õéæ ãâóóêæóô õð ñæðñíæ õâìêïè ñâóõ çóðî õóâïôñðóõ õð æòöêñîæïõ âóæ õâìæï âøâú Ē ôâúô Óâøóæïäæ âèæå ## đÞæ èð õð ģôéæóêæô âíí âäóðôô Êæïõóâí Scotland and teach casting and catching ģôé Ëöóêïè õéæ øêïõæó îðïõéô øæ éêóæ â éâíí êï Îíâôèðø âïå éâ÷æ âäõê÷êõêæô õéæóæ ôöäé âô õæâäéêïè Ĥú äâôõêïè éðø õð õêæ Ĥêæô âïå ôæõõêïè öñ æòöêñîæïõ Ē Èãðöõ ! ñæðñíæ îâêïíú îæï åóðñ êï âïå ðöõ ðç õéæ äíöãďô âäõê÷êõêæô øêõé â äðóæ ðç ïêïæ óæèöíâóô đÞæď÷æ éâå â äðöñíæ ðç íâåêæô âíðïè øéêäé éâô ãææï çâïõâôõêä Þæ øðöíå íêìæ õð ôææ îðóæ Ē âååô Óâøóæïäæ Some of the group are complete beginners. Getting outdoors and bonding

ð÷æó â ïæø âäõê÷êõú éâô ðñæïæå öñ â øéðíæ new world for them. đÞæď÷æ ãææï âõ ģôéæóêæô âïå ôææï ðôñóæúô âïå óæå ìêõæô êï õéæ øêíå Ē ôâúô Óâøóæïäæ đÐîñðóõâïõíú õéæ ôðäêâí ãðïå øæď÷æ formed is great; it’s fabulous to see people supporting each other. đÞæď÷æ éâå øéææíäéâêó öôæóô âïå ôðîæ started to come out without their carers ãæäâöôæ õéæú çæíõ ôöññðóõæå øêõéêï õéæ èóðöñ Éæõøææï ðöó îææõêïèô ôðîæ èöúô âóæ èæõõêïè õðèæõéæó âïå èðêïè ģôéêïè Ē Öïæ îæîãæó éâô èðïæ ðï õð ôõöåú çðó â äðâäéêïè òöâíêģäâõêðï Ûéæú âóæ ïðø ñóðèóæôôêïè õð â íæ÷æí õøð äæóõêģäâõæ âïå are part of the club’s coaching team. đÍðó ôðîæ èöúô êï õéæ ñâôõ õéæêó îðïæú îâú éâ÷æ ãææï ôñæïõ ðï õéêïèô detrimental to their health. There’s a ãêè âïèíêïè ôéðñ êï Îíâôèðø âïå õéæúďóæ êï õéæóæ ïðø ôñæïåêïè õéæêó îðïæú ðï ģôéêïè æòöêñîæïõ Ē ôâúô Óâøóæïäæ đÈïå â äðöñíæ ðç èöúô øéð Ð îæõ õéóðöèé õéêô äâîæ õð îú åâöèéõæóďô ãâñõêôî ôð øæď÷æ åæ÷æíðñæå çóêæïåôéêñô Ē Ïæ âååô đÚðîæ ðç õéæôæ ñæðñíæ éâ÷æ éâå ôæóêðöô åêĥäöíõêæô âïå éâóåôéêñô êï õéæêó íê÷æô ãöõ øéæï Ð ôææ õéæî îâìæ õéæ æĢðóõ õð äðîæ âíðïè õð õéæôæ åâúô âïå øæď÷æ ãææï ðöõ êï âíí ôðóõô ðç øæâõéæó õéæú íæâ÷æ õéæêó õóðöãíæô ãæéêïå Ûéæú ôðäêâíêôæ õéæú éâ÷æ â íâöèé âïå õéæóæďô â çóêæïåíú ãêõ of competition. It inspires me. When I see øéâõ õéæú éâ÷æ õð åæâí øêõé êõ îâìæô îú äéâííæïèæô ñâíæ êïõð êïôêèïêģäâïäæ Ē

S TA F F P R O F I L E È Úæó÷êäæô Þæíçâóæ Öĥäæó Òæííú Èåäðäì êô committed to her role supporting Armed Forces personnel. “We are here to help æïôöóæ õéæ ÷æóú ãæôõ ðöõäðîæ çðó æ÷æóú ñæóôðï øéð õöóïô õð öô Ē ôéæ ôâúô Ìîñíðúæå ãú Ùðúâí Ýðíöïõâóú Úæó÷êäæ âïå øðóìêïè çðó õéæ Ôêïêôõóú ðç Ëæçæïäæ Òæííú "$ êô äöóóæïõíú ñðôõæå õð õéæ Ëæçæïäæ Ôæåêäâí Úæó÷êäæô ïæâó Óêäéģæíå ÚõâĢðóåôéêóæ

Òæííúďô ëðã êô õð ôöññðóõ ôêïèíæ âïå öïâääðîñâïêæå ñæóôðïïæí âïå âõ õéæ ãâôæ õéæóæďô â óæäóæâõêðïâí çâäêíêõú øêõé êïõæóïæõ âääæôô â îöôêä óððî ÛÝ óððîô âïå â äêïæîâ ðĢæóêïè â ñíâäæ øéæóæ ñæóôðïïæí äâï óæíâù åöóêïè äéâííæïèêïè âïå ôðîæõêîæô intense training. Úðíåêæóô äâï õâíì õð Òæííú äðïģåæïõêâííú âïå óæäæê÷æ êïåæñæïåæïõ ïðï ëöåèæîæïõâí guidance. She can also signpost them to the

most appropriate person or organisation for help. Òæííúďô çâîêíú éâ÷æ ôæó÷æå êï õéæ îêíêõâóú since the First World War. She has been in the óðíæ çðó ïæâóíú $ úæâóô øðóìêïè êï Îæóîâïú Õðóõéæóï Ðóæíâïå Êúñóöô and the UK.

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VOLUNTEERS | SUMMER 2020

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WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

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Get involved in fundraising or make a donation to our coronavirus emergency appeal

R

oyal Voluntary Service has launched a national emergency appeal to raise £5m to ensure we can meet the growing demand for our services during this crisis and in the following months.

We are moving slowly towards the next phase in the coronavirus pandemic, with many of us cautiously looking forward to lockdown measures being eased. But there

LUCKY NUMBERS

W

e are launching our new Royal Voluntary Service Weekly Lottery.

Taking part costs just £1 a week and there are cash prizes from £25 to £25,000. Please see our enclosed leaflet where you’ll find more information on how our lottery will help to support our services and a form you can complete to join in. Good luck!

are still so many people who need to remain in isolation and will need us to continue to offer them support.

Now and in the months to come there are tens of thousands of older and vulnerable people relying on us to stand with them and support them to face the new and difficult challenges created by a prolonged lockdown.

On this page you will find fun and inspiring ideas to raise money for Royal Voluntary Service, while on page 20 there are details of how you can donate directly to our appeal.

Any support you are able to give would be gratefully received.

IT'S TIME TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX During these difficult times there are a number of ways you can fundraise to support our work VIRTUAL BIG QUIZ Get the questions ready and host a Virtual Big Quiz online for your friends and family. Create a JustGiving page and ask the teams to pay their entry fee online. For more information and to take part visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/bigquiz VINTAGE TEA PARTY Join friends and family online for a catch-up over a cuppa and a slice of cake. Create a JustGiving page and ask everyone to donate how much they would have spent picking up a hot drink on their way to work. Go to royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ vintageteaparty STEP UP! FOR ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE Step Up! is a challenge to do as many steps as you can over two weeks, in any way that works for you.

You can count all the steps you take at home, in your garden or walking the dog in your local park.

Perhaps you could match the number of steps our hospital volunteers take each day and aim for 170,000 steps over two weeks (that’s 12,142 steps each day!). Or you could set your own target.

Registration is free and we ask you to raise £50.

This fundraiser is a great way to keep active and is open to anybody. For more information and to take part, visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ stepupchallenge AMAZON SMILE Did you know you could help raise funds for Royal Voluntary Service when you shop on Amazon?

Next time you are shopping, simply visit smile.amazon.co.uk and choose Royal Voluntary Service. Amazon will donate a percentage of your order to us, at no extra cost to you.

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SUMMER 2020

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SHETLAND HUFFSIE A huffsie is a traditional Shetland fruit cake originating from the island of Whalsay. Flavoured with spices and treacle, the ingredients are boiled prior to baking

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OUR VISION People across Britain are engaged in voluntary service – freely giving their time, talent and life experience to help tackle pressing challenges in their communities. Their service makes them, and Britain, healthier and happier.

OUR MISSION Inspiring and enabling people to give the gift of voluntary service to meet the needs of the day in their communities.

ART

ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE Royal Voluntary Service is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company ïÜÎãÌó # " ! ÙÌèêôþÌóÌü ðļäÌ ÉÌäÏ ÊðÜóþ ÊâóüêĢ ÎâþÌ ÉÜôêïÌôô ×âóÏ ÊâóüêĢ ĂŠĂ? ! &Ù× ÙÌèêôþÌóÌü äÊâóêþú #'&& ÂĄĂŒĂŻĂ¨Ă­Ă˘ĂŻĂĽ âïü ÞâíÌô¢ ÚÊÖ!&' " ¥Úäðþíâïü¢ royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

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JOIN US, SUPPORT US To get involved, call 0330 555 0315. To make a donation, call & %! ' '% Ûð ôþâú êï þðÜäÊ áêôêþ ðÜó �âäÌãððÏ ùâèÌ Ž óðúâíáðíÜïþâóúôÌóáêäÌ âïü ÛøêþþÌó ùâèÌ ŽÙðúâí�ðíÚÌóáêäÌ

CLIENT

WRVS BENEVOLENT TRUST Ă?Ă°Ăł ùâôþ âïü ùóÌôÌïþ áðíÜïþÌÌóô âïü ôþâĢ ĂŞĂŻ ôÜüüÌï ģïâïäêâí need. Write to: Honorary Secretary, WRVS Benevolent Trust, Ă—Ă– ÉðÚ %$' ÊÊÌôþÌóģÌíü Ăš" 'Ă•Ă % enquiry@wrvsbt.org.uk, wrvsbt.org.uk/contact/ ÛÖ Ă™ĂŒĂŠĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂŒ Ăˆ ĂŠĂ–Ă—Ă Ă–Ă? THE VOLUNTEER Ă?Ă• ĂžĂŒĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă–Ă™ ĂˆĂ• ĂˆĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă– Ă?ĂŒĂ™ĂšĂ?Ă–Ă• Ă—Ă“ĂŒĂˆĂšĂŒ ĂŠĂ–Ă•Ă›ĂˆĂŠĂ› internalcomms@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk PAT R O N Her Majesty The Queen PRESIDENT Ă?Ă™Ă? ÛÊÌ ËÜäÊÌôô Öç Êðóïøâíí PUBLISHER Published on behalf of Royal Voluntary Service by Think, Êâùêþâí Ă?ðÜôÌ # ÊÊâùÌí ÚþóÌÌþ Ă“Ă°ĂŻĂĽĂ°ĂŻ Ă•Ăž #Ă‹Ă? www.thinkpublishing.co.uk Editor: ĂˆĂŻĂ¨ĂŚĂ­Ă˘ ÔäÔâïÜô Sub-editors: Úêâï ÊâÎùãÌíí Òêóôþú Ă?ðóþÜïÌ ĂˆĂŻĂĽĂłĂŚĂ¸ ÓêþþíÌģÌíü Designer: ËðÎêïêä Úäðþþ Group Account Director: John Innes

Recycling!

The Volunteer is wrapped in 100% compostable material. Ăż Ùðúâí Ă?ðíÜïþâóú ÚÌóáêäÌ ĂˆĂ­Ă­ óêèÊþô óÌôÌóáÌü ĂŒĂˇĂŚĂłĂş óÌâôðïâãíÌ ÌïüÌâáðÜó Êâô ĂŁĂŚĂŚĂŻ ÎâüÌ þð ÄŁĂŻĂĽ âïü äðïþâäþ þÊÌ äðùúóêèÊþ ðøïÌóô ðç the images and works included in this magazine. However, if you believe a copyright work has been included without your permission, please contact Üô âþ âäþêðïŽóðúâíáðíÜïþâóúôÌóáêäÌ ðóè ÜÏ The Volunteer ĂŞĂ´ ùóêïþÌü Ă°ĂŻ Ă?ÚÊ paper coming from a well-managed forest. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Ă?êÌøô ðç äðïþóêãÜþðóô âïü âüáÌóþêôÌóô ĂĽĂ° ĂŻĂ°Ăľ ïÌäÌôôâóêíú óÌĤÌäþ þÊÌ ùðíêäú of Royal Voluntary Service or those of the publishers.

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The Volunteer is produced by Royal Voluntary Service communications team. Contact them at: internalcomms@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

INGREDIENTS Makes a 2lb cake è ôÌíç óâêôêïè ĤðÜó 1 level 5ml tsp baking powder 2 level 5ml tsp spice – your choice 2 Shetland eggs 100g soft brown sugar 100g Shetland butter 200g mixed dried fruit 1 tablespoon treacle

METHOD Heat the oven to 150°C. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.

ÞÌêèÊ þÊÌ ĤðÜó ôùêäÌô and baking powder and set aside.

Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl.

Put the sugar, butter, treacle and fruit into a large saucepan and bring to the boil slowly.

Boil for two to three minutes, watching all the time.

Remove from the heat and cool a little.

Add the eggs and beat well, then add in the ĤðÜó ÎêÚþÜóÌ

Transfer the mixture immediately to the prepared loaf tin and cook for 45 minutes, until well risen and golden brown.

You can test its readiness by inserting a skewer – if it comes out clean, the cake is baked.

Cool in the tin before serving.

O A keen baker, Ann Erskine, 70, has been a volunteer since 2001. She initially worked in the Good Neighbours ôÌóáêäÌ âïü çðó þÊÌ ùâôþ ģáÌ úÌâóô Êâô been volunteering every Monday at the Islesburgh lunch club in Lerwick.

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WILL YOU HELP US TO RAISE £5 MILLION TO SUPPORT THOSE IN DESPERATE NEED?

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CORONAVIRUS APPEAL

As you know, the older and vulnerable people we already support are those who are most at risk

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Britain is in lock-down, and by giving your time you are standing with Royal Voluntary Service to help protect the most vulnerable in our communities. But there’s so much more we need to do.

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A gift of £20 today could be a lifeline for older and vulnerable people and ensure we can deliver the vital food, prescriptions and support they so urgently need.

To give £20 text RVS20 to 70570.

“When we phone to check that they are coping, they tell us how grateful they are to be able to chat with someone. They say that the support we’re giving makes them feel that they are not going through this time on their own. It’s the same when we’re out delivering groceries; just seeing a familiar face through a window brings them happiness.”

Liz, Royal Voluntary Service volunteer

royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/urgent The outbreak of Coronavirus has led to an increase in demand for our services.

AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME WE ARE: Delivering essential food, toiletries and prescriptions to people unable to leave home.

Helping people home from hospital and ensuring they have essentials to survive their first few days.

Providing food parcels to NHS workers.

Transporting people to important medical appointments.

Addressing loneliness by delivering social and physical activities online.

Making regular calls to older and vulnerable people offering companionship, support and advice.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY AND HELP US TO SUPPORT THOSE IN DESPERATE NEED.

please visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/urgent or call to donate on 0330 002 0776 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Royal Voluntary Service is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 2520413. Registered office Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8RP. All statistics and data correct at time of publication. Registered charity 1015988 (England and Wales) & SC038924 (Scotland). Royal Voluntary Service receive 100% of your donation. Texts cost £20 + 1 message at your standard network rate. Always get the bill payers permission. UK networks only. We’d like to contact the people that text by phone and SMS with campaign updates and new appeals. If you want to give, but don’t want these updates text RVS NO INFO when making your donation.

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