Volunteer Stories – Making a difference

As part of Volunteers Week 2020, we are sharing some of our volunteer stories. It’s a chance to say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK and a great way to recognise and thank all our volunteers, for all the amazing things they’re doing to help us make a difference.

VAL were contacted by Cllr Adam Clarke on Thursday 23 April 2020 regarding an elderly constituent in his AylestoneWard who was self-isolating and wanted someone to tidy up her garden. 

We looked at the registered volunteers in this area and contacted someone who had given previous volunteering experience of community gardening.  We contacted this volunteer on Friday 24 April, who was very keen to get involved with the project and on Monday 27 April she spent several hours tidying up the garden and left the elderly person very happy.

Comment from volunteer:

‘It was a bit of an epic garden, it hadn’t been touched since last autumn, I’m not sure but I think she was widowed last year and didn’t know where the garden tools were. Thankfully I took my own mower, strimmer, shears and stuff so was able to hack through the meadow.  At least now, she can look out onto a mown lawn’

Get involved in volunteering

If you’re inspired to get involved in volunteering, you can find out more on our VAL Volunteering website.

If you’re a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation who wants more support with recruiting or managing volunteers, you can get in touch with us via:

helpline@valonline.org.uk
0116 257 5050