#VolunteersWeek: “With everyone on board the village can’t help but thrive!”

This Volunteers Week we celebrate all those who volunteer and give their time to others. Volunteers are at the heart of ExtraCare and your continued support is a true inspiration.

We spoke to Robert Passco, 75, of Stoke Gifford Village.

“I am a resident and a volunteer. I have been a resident for 3 years 5 months and I have been volunteering for 2 ½ years only missing 16 weeks due to covid.

I became a volunteer because I had spent 50 years in management in my career. When I retired, I knew I needed to keep my brain ticking over. I watched other volunteers and told myself I could do that as I was always good with customer contact.

Volunteering is very important. I volunteer as a tour guide and help the sales department with showing people around. Potential residents like to meet the residents that know all about the village and that’s me! I also meet people that call at reception and help sort out any queries.

My favourite thing about volunteering is meeting people and talking about the village it’s great to know I have not lost my charm.

I am always trying to get residents to join the volunteers. With everyone on board the village can’t help but thrive! One of the jobs I have given myself is to get more residents involved in volunteering, this is a great a way to get people out into the village and meeting people.”