'Volunteering saved me': How kind-hearted residents have transformed lives
'Volunteering has changed my life, helping others is incredibly rewarding. What's not to like about being able to put a smile on someone's face?'
These are the words of 62-year-old Ann Hadfield, who serves tea and cakes at a weekly Prestwich drop-in group and is one of 14.2 million people in the UK who regularly volunteer.
Launched in 1984, Volunteers' Week, which runs until Sunday, is an annual UK-wide event to celebrate the invaluable contribution of volunteers.
Part of a team of volunteers at St Hilda's Church – some who have undertaken multiple roles for several decades – Ann said that volunteering is also helping her after the sudden death of her husband, Steve.
She said: 'Volunteering is more than simply supporting other people.
"For me it's been a life-saver. It's improved my mental health and is helping me find my feet again. It's given me a purpose.'
Social prescribers working with GP practices across the borough described their volunteers as 'absolutely amazing".
In supporting the health and wellbeing of thousands of patients, regular volunteers actively help the social prescribing team's social drop-ins, mental health and learning disabilities events, walks, arts and sports, plus green prescribing to connect individuals with nature and outdoor activities.
Social prescriber Julie Marshall, who works with Prestwich GP practices, plus multiple voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations across Bury, said: 'Our volunteers support our walks, organise hospitality, set up venues and are invaluable.
"Their selfless work enables us to spend more one-to-one time supporting patients.
"From Robin Lomas who volunteers weekly in our kitchen and supports our walks around Prestwich, to former nurse Lindsey Stewart who collates a 'what's on' of local events for patients, we have a small army of helpers – our unsung heroes.'
Julie added: 'We have also found that for many patients, volunteering is beneficial to their own health and wellbeing.'
Whitefield volunteer, Geoff Garner, 53, agrees.
He said: 'Volunteering with the Unsworth Gardening Group has boosted my mental and physical health.
"While it's a joy to grow herbs, flowers and vegetables for people to enjoy, being involved is also a joy for me.'
Geoff explained that after losing a long-term job, he became reliant on food bank hand-outs and was at 'an all-time low".
Becoming involved with drop-in sessions run by the social prescribing team helped restore his confidence, develop his CV, and has been instrumental in securing him work.
Rebecca Martin, from Whitefield's social prescribing team, said: 'Geoff is wonderful.
"He supported everyone through an IT course, is involved in weekly drop-ins and his love of gardening has inspired other volunteers.
"Volunteers are the heartbeat of so many communities and their efforts deserve to be recognised.'
Geoff added: 'I was helped by volunteers at my lowest, so I believe in helping others. I've first-hand experience of how life can be tough, so I'm happy to listen to people.
"Volunteering time and skills is something everyone can do, and it can make such a difference.'
Volunteers' Week is a UK-wide campaign led in partnership by Volunteer Scotland, NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations), WCVA (the Wales Council for Voluntary Action) and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.
For more details, visit https://volunteersweek.org/about.
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