WE LOVE VOLUNTEERING

HU3 has many, many volunteers. It’s an area of generous people offering time to help others, be that in one of the area’s charity shops, in a community centre café, as a receptionist or by fixing a bike. These amazing people provide essential services and they support the community, and each other, while also learning stuff about themselves and about life. Oh…and it’s fun!

Dove House 316 Hessle Rd Team

Dove House on Hessle Road is a special place – not just for the great clothes, DVDs, and books, but for the atmosphere. The long-serving staff laugh, tell stories, and are always super helpful. But why….was it something in their water? Happily, we think we found the source… it’s a simple secret, LOVE. Not only do all the staff have a deep love for the hospice that has supported them, their families, and their community, they have love for one another when life is good or hard. They love their purpose, the effort, and the customer. Here’s what they told us.

Mark: I started as a volunteer 9 years ago. I’d retired from construction and thought I’d take a year out, but after two weeks I couldn’t do it. I slowly worked my way up and now I'm the Manager. I enjoy the team and how people appreciate what we do. I like how we redirect clothes from waste. We wouldn’t be able to do this without volunteers, they are amazing and go the extra mile. One of my volunteers comes across the city to steam clothes for 4 hours a week. Others do whatever they want and we encourage them. We are a team and a team needs all sorts of different people. We often talk about how we wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for work, and now we are friends. Some of us go to the pub together, some to bingo, and we have days out and parties. We are like a big family.”

Sue: I started after the kids had all gone to school. I was bored. I came here four years ago as Assistant Manager. I will give my heart and soul for Dove House, it’s a fantastic cause. We work hard and play hard. I am the organiser of the social stuff. 13 of us went on a trip to the seaside and it was brilliant. Some people don’t want to go on trips, so I get them involved in the special stuff we do in the shop. I never leave anyone out. We are a team. My volunteers are amazing, we couldn’t do it without them. I like to show we appreciate them. We text and check up on each other outside of work. I’ve been poorly recently and these lot have been brilliant.

Ines: I love it all. This place is heaven.

Dove House Anlaby Road Team

KNIT & NATTER

In Lonsdale Community Centre on Tuesdays mornings, Knit and Natter is full of volunteers who give not only their time.

Joan, at 85, crochets mostly blankets for the Salvation Army Charity Shop, who give them to those in need. "Each blanket takes 16 balls of wool but I also do those twiddle mitts, that you use your fingers to fiddle with, for people in old folks homes that take up less. I can't do nothing, just sit there. It’s no good I like to be busy –always have". Her friend Pat, agrees.

Pat used to have the shop on Arthur St corner and worked there from being a kid. "We were always busy, I’m always busy. I knit about 2 or 3 hours a day. I like to keep me fingers busy. I’m making a cardigan as a gift for someone, it’s a surprise.

My son has all of a sudden got a problem with his kidney, he needs a transplant. I volunteered one of mine but they said I was too old. I said I would because I’m a Mam. He’s only 53, he’s young."

Sarah, the Manager, explains why she volunteers and how people can come into her shop and get bargains. "I’ve been here for 12 years, since I lost me dad who I’d cared for, and me youngest went to Secondary. I didn’t want to just sit at home. I lived on Boulevard and so I started at Spring Bank and then here. I’m now the manager, but I don’t feel like a manager because we are a team.

I’ve got one volunteer who comes 6 days a week and takes 2 buses. He never lets me down – he’s a very special volunteer.

We sell things here that other shops haven’t sold but at a better price. It’s the last try before recycling – I guess it’s a way to reduce the quantity that goes for rags or landfill. In our shops there’s such a variety, meaning people can express themselves individually by shopping here. That’s what I love.

Lead volunteer Alison says Volunteering is something I’ve always done. I have mental health issues and so coming here, socialising and being in a team and making friends is important. Otherwise I’m isolated and would stay in the house. MIND helped me with the form and getting this job. I do it to break the cycle of thinking that all people are horrible, it reminds me people are ok, and most are kind.

Dee: I’ve been here 5 years. I catch four buses a day and I love it. I had cancer and my sister who died last year was in the hospice. So I know how it benefits people. When I came into this shop I just knew it was the one for me. I love the atmosphere. I’ve adopted Mark and now it's too late to give him back! My top tip for people thinking of volunteering is visit places until you know the one that suits you.

Liz: Working here has helped me behave differently with my family. I’m kind already, but being here has helped me think and speak differently. I am able to express and explain myself better and it's made lots of difference.

Michelle: I do 1-2 days and come from the other side of Gypsyville. I got the placement via the job centre. I had a six week chance but I’ve never left. I love serving customers and putting the pretty things out. I buy stuff from the shop and then donate back when I get too much at home.

Sarah: My mam died and these lot have helped. I am closer to them than my own family now. My kids love Sue too, and want to visit and send her cards. She’s amazing. She needs the best human being award.

Mandy: I came from London and so my family are all away. These are my family now.

Karen: I’ve only been here one year, it gets me out as there’s only me and the cats.

Eddie: I’ve done seven years. I’m a lead volunteer. I love history and so I do the books and DVDs. I save things for customers who I know will like them. We know our regulars really well. I like that our work means that people can get the best care at the worst part of their life. I do it for the hospice. The best sellers are Mills and Boons! I put loads out this morning and they’ve all gone.”

Lizzie: I’ve been here five years, I love everything about the job. The customers, I like the team, the socialising and the laugh. I’ve recently become a Lead Volunteer. I only came to Dove House for six months! I like being on the shop floor and interacting with people. People tell me stories and you realise you are working for the hospice. It makes you feel good.

Contact

For more info about volunteering

»Lonsdale Community Centre: 8 Lonsdale Street. 01482564691

»Talking Magazine: 01482 585822 info@hulltalkingmagazine.org.uk

»Giroscope: christina@giroscope.org.uk

»Dove House: dovehouse.org.uk or call into Dove House shops

Shona

"I have been volunteering in the Café and Charity shop for nearly 16 years and am about to retire. I've been doing about 35 hours a week! I've loved meeting nice people. If people are having a bad day, we care, we are spreading the love."

Why Volunteering?

It’s nice to give back. When me Dad passed the centre picked me up. They were here for me and I am here for them. Lonsdale is very much a family hidden behind me. I also think it's nice that people know I'm someone to trust. I’m a friendly face, trying to help by noticing. If I can see somebody on the street looking a bit low I'll put them down on the stool, give them tea, and after ten minutes they feel much better. But isn't that what you do in the community?

It’s also my way of coping with life. We are all like blotting paper, but we need to let it go. 15 minutes of talking is like a sponge that takes it away. Sometimes I go in the centre and say “De-ink me I’m a bit full up”. Working improves mental health, which helps the people you meet. I do it for friendship too. I put 100% in and get 100% out. We should be asking ourselves, not can you afford to do it, but can you afford not to do it. I go home at night and think about how so and so came in and I made sure they were all right. I go through all the people and think - it was a good day, it's like I don't have hot chocolate with milk but with cream.

Why Lonsdale?

I like how the money moves from this till to a building 50 yards away. This place serves its neighbours in all ways. But also I was brought up on a farm and then went into catering which means you’ve no choice but to speak to people. And I can cook. I was one of the first waitresses awarded the Silver Service Award. I loved the challenge of getting a difficult customer to like you by the time they leave. It was the biggest tip because you’ve worked your magic on them. It's the same way here, getting people to trust you. I mean half the time I don't think people really come in for tea. I think they just come in. Well in this day and age sadly it's warm and it's cheap and the people are nice. Farming made you Volunteer?