Volunteers’ Week 2016: Sheila’s story
Sheila Butler has volunteered at ExtraCare’s Princethorpe Court in Coventry for two years. Here, she tells us about her experience…
My mum lived at Princethorpe Court for five years, so when I first started coming in I wasn’t volunteering, I was just here with her. But I helped if Mum wanted to go out or needed help – we went on one or two trips, and we did a stall at a couple of fairs. We held a “Name the Rabbit” stall!
I told Sandie, the Activity Co-ordinator, that I’d like to be a befriender or do something similar. But I’ve ended up doing more than that!
I help when people go out for meals, there’s a friendship group where I do the tea and coffee, I just provide general help really. I move chairs, push wheelchairs, a bit of everything! We’ve been to Symphony Hall and I helped there. I help at the exercise classes, and I like to come to them for myself as well!
My favourite part of coming here is just talking to the ladies – I really enjoy it. I got to know a lot of people when Mum lived here, and I didn’t want to feel like I was abandoning them by not coming in any more. They’re such a lovely bunch here. It’s a nice place.
When Mum was here, Princethorpe Court felt like my second home. Lots of us got friendly and I didn’t like to stop. I thought it would be strange coming in without Mum at first, but it wasn’t. It just felt comfortable.
Usually I come in once a week – it’s not set in stone, but if Sandie needs help, she’ll ring me.
In my working life, I worked for a chartered accountant, but I’ve done lots of other voluntary work in the past too. I read to the blind for a time, and I was involved with hospital radio, and worked for a library. I used to go out taking books to the housebound. I enjoy volunteering!
A lot of places can’t run without volunteers. It’s just finding the right one for you, and I definitely think I’ve found it here!
Contact Chrissie Morris, ExtraCare’s Charity Volunteer Lead, to talk about volunteering opportunities on 02476 506011 or join the conversation on Twitter – @ExtraCareOrgUk
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