I spent my working life in offices in Central London, commuting on packed trains, an aspect I didn’t miss on redundancy 12 years ago. After a 10 month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia and Australasia was finished I had free time and so began various volunteering roles.

I first became involved with Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services during the pandemic when there was a need for volunteers to shop and collect prescriptions for those who were shielding and could no longer do it for themselves. Although the level of need has diminished, I continue to assist as it doesn’t take much time or effort to make a small but positive difference to someone’s wellbeing.

I also became a driver for the Community Car Scheme driving people who struggle to get to their medical and social appointments under their own steam. It makes the role very rewarding when they tell you how helpful it is having someone who will ensure they arrive at the right place and on time when they might be feeling particularly anxious or vulnerable.

You meet and chat with many different kinds of people as a volunteer which opens your eyes to the world of others which can only be a good thing.