Sharing volunteer stories
This year for Volunteers' Week we are sharing volunteer stories to recognise the difference that they make and the vital role they have played in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We will be sharing one story per day throughout the week on our social media channels. You can join in by telling your volunteers' stories too - tag us in your posts and we will share them for you!
The Stay in Touch service is for anyone feeling lonely while staying at home. Volunteers make regular check-in calls with those who have requested a chat.
A Spirit of Salford Stay in Touch service volunteer says:
I am a full time working mum and have worked for Salford Council for 13 years. I have lived in Salford all my life and am very proud of this.
Due to COVID-19 this has meant that I am now working from home for my day job but my evenings and weekends are free.
When I received the email asking for volunteers I instantly completed the application as I want to make a difference and help as much as I can during the current situation. I myself have a family and have good days and bad days and I wanted to contribute and help anybody that needs a hand or just a listening ear during these uncertain times.
I have really enjoyed being a stay in touch volunteer and I look forward to speaking to people…to hear how they are getting on, if they need anything and helping them to achieve this but most importantly making sure they are ok. Every person I speak to are always so thankful and appreciative of my call even if it is just for a chat.
Prior to the pandemic, Celine volunteered as a Wellbeing Champion, supporting local people with their health and wellbeing. When she was no longer able to continue this role due to the Covid-19 pandemic she looked for another way she could help and was matched with a dog walking opportunity by Salford CVS’ Volunteering Development Worker Michael.
Celine says:
"During these challenging times, especially in lockdown, having another reason to go outside home can be very rewarding. I am enjoying helping out the community as well as spending good times with the energetic dogs. The owners are friendly and also nice to have conversations with. This dog walking volunteering has become a great way to lend a hand to others within the neighbourhood and it is a fruitful experience."
Frances is a Spirit of Salford Volunteer in Irlam and Cadishead. She shared her experience of being a volunteer with us:
“During the coronavirus pandemic lockdown I wanted to do whatever I could to help the local Heath Improvement Team deliver support in our local community to those most in need.
I have been busy picking up prescriptions and delivering them to our local residents who are for the most part shielded...
Our local residents are all different both in age and reason why they need us but they do. Now we have a few regulars it is like passing time with a friend checking that they are ok and don't need anything else and reminding them to just phone if they do.
The overwhelming response has been sincere gratitude and thanks....I have been offered chocolates and even a cuppa. People say: ‘I don't know what I would do without you’ and ‘Thanks you have brightened up my day’.
The responses make it all worthwhile and with the whole team is working together it is a privilege to be part of it.”
During the pandemic, Francesca stepped forward to volunteer. After registering with Salford CVS Francesca was matched with the organisation Women with Wings. Women with Wings have been helping women and their families by providing essential food and care parcels. Francesca volunteers as a driver and provides a vital link in getting the food and care packages to those in need. Francesca is currently furloughed from her job as a recruitment consultant and was willing to help in any way she could. Francesca says:
“I felt helpless being at home and so being able to help my community makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile and I just want to help where I can. Women with Wings is a fantastic organisation, they are on my doorstep but I didn’t know about them before and so through volunteering I have found out so much more about what is going on in the community. I have delivered the food parcels to lots of different people in Little Hulton, people of all ages and I was glad to ease people’s situation. I have met some lovely people and I feel as though the community has come together to support each other.”
A local resident said
“I can’t tell you how much it means to get the food parcel. It was filled with such good food, which means that I can give my children nutritious food. God bless you for your help and care for others.”
Jenine, Spirit of Salford Good Neighbour volunteer shares one of her more memorable volunteering moments:
There have been so many people that have been so grateful and thankful to have received some help…However, I often think of one particular gentleman. I got a message to get some basic shopping for this man who has terminal cancer and no family. This was in the very early days when people were sadly clearing the shelves. I went shopping and got him the majority of his shopping, but couldn’t get eggs, anti bac wipes, butter and sprouts. I took him his shopping and apologised for not getting all of it. He stood on his door step and cried. I just wanted to give him a hug, but couldn’t. He got upset because he was glad to get his shopping, but he really fancied some eggs! I really felt for him. I didn’t feel I could just leave him so we stood chatting for a while. I had a few more jobs, so I had to leave - but he was a little chirpier by that time. I couldn’t get him out of my mind - he was going through probably the worst time of his life and was on his own!! After finishing my other jobs I drove round until I got the rest of his shopping and called back to see him. He was telling me how having cancer he doesn’t have much of an appetite, but when he fancies something, he likes to eat it. He was so grateful to have his eggs and sprouts lol.
This whole experience has made me feel so humble.
Spirit of Salford have worked so hard to make sure the most vulnerable in our community are not on their own - they’re all amazing.
A blind nursing student has shown there is no limit to helping others during a time of crisis. When the lockdown began, Sarah Strutt began searching for ways she could assist her local community despite having additional needs herself. Sarah became partially sighted in 1999 then registered blind in 2006 with a condition known as retinal dystrophy. She moves around with a cane and uses braille as well as apps and voice-over output on her phone and laptop.
However, with the Access to Nursing and Midwifery course at Stockport College to support her application, the 30-year-old found a voluntary role phoning people in need with Covid-19 response unit, the Stay in Touch service, run by Salford’s Clinical Commissioning Group and part of the Spirit of Salford partnership.
The 30-year-old from Whalley Range said:
“I constantly saw the chaos caused by coronavirus and was desperate to do what I could to help. At first people thought it was limited what I could do as I am registered blind, however I kept searching and came across this opportunity. Clients have different reasons for seeking telephone contact many are isolated due to the virus and experiencing loneliness and some are in the older age bracket.”
The work involves phoning people referred to the service to provide support with benefits, council tax, debt, digital skills, emergency supplies, food, housing, pets, citizen’s advice, all of which Sarah shares with her wider team over the phone to follow up any welfare and safeguarding concerns.
Amanda Rafferty, Service Lead, Stay in Touch added:
“It’s great to have Sarah volunteering on our service – she has a natural connection with people and a clear empathy which will be of great benefit to her in her future career as a nurse. She has a brilliant understanding of the needs of vulnerable citizens who face many barriers in life similar to her own experience.
Sarah contacts us with updates using a mobile phone as it works better for her and this ensures we are kept informed of any issues, and more importantly the difference she has made to the lady she is supporting.”
Sarah completes college work by email using audio of classes from home with constant engagement from tutors whom have been “absolutely amazing”, and creates poetry in her spare time. After College, she plans to study a mental health nursing BSC at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Councillor Gina Reynolds, Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, Salford City Council, which set up Spirit of Salford network in just 72 hours when isolation was announced, said:
“Sarah’s determination to help others at a time of crisis is fantastic and we have been very grateful for her support. Her compassion, caring and community spirit will stand her in good stead in her future career and I wish her every success.”
Philip stepped forward and became a Spirit of Salford emergency response volunteer as he wanted to help the community in any way possible. After registering with Salford CVS he was matched with the organisation Social Adventures as a driver. Philip delivers food to Salford Royal hospital, a Covid testing site and GP surgeries across Salford, ensuring that NHS staff have access to nutritious meals.
Philip runs his own business writing wills, he has continued to provide this service during lockdown and fits in his volunteering alongside this. Philip says “this has been my first experience of volunteering and I’ve found it very worthwhile. The NHS staff have been very appreciative, they are working so hard and so to have a meal provided gives them one less thing to have to think about”.
A Frontline NHS Nurse said:
“It was fantastic to get a roast dinner on a Sunday, it really lifted my spirits and made me feel appreciated.”
Social Adventures said:
“The volunteers we have worked with throughout this have been fantastic. They have helped us to cook the food and to deliver it across Salford – and this has enabled us to feed more people and to have a bigger reach.”
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