The best thing you can give

I’m a 65 year-old retired primary school teacher . I live with my husband, Steve and we like to spend time with our seven grandchildren. We have several hobbies and interests. Steve and I are now part of a ukulele band!

I love every minute of my time at Godfrey Robinson House. This Leonard Cheshire residential home near Hull supports 19 disabled adults. I have made close friends with the residents and have such a good laugh with them.

What we do is so varied. I go with a Leonard Cheshire support worker to help one resident, Kayleigh, in the swimming pool. This is a wonderful opportunity for her to stretch her legs in the safety of the water. I am often a companion on visits out – helping to push someone’s wheelchair if needed, helping people get around and make the most of the trip!

I help with games as well as arts and crafts. Some people love playing board games, bingo, curling and ten pin bowling while others may like to do a bit of drawing, knitting and sewing. 

I also support residents who want to learn and find out more about a particular topic. We recently found out about the life of pioneering Hull-born pilot Amy Johnson – the first female pilot to fly solo to Australia.

This is just a taster of the valuable help and support a volunteer can give. However the best thing you can give to people is your time: you are someone outside their immediate circle who can listen to them, get to know them and support them.