From Family Care to Community Support: Christine's Volunteering Story

My journey into the world of volunteering began back in 2015 when in addition to my role as Baby-room Leader at a local nursery, I began volunteering as an Assistant Swimming Teacher for the Upside-down Swimming Club. I worked with small groups of children or individual children aged 4-18 that had severe physical and mental disabilities; teaching them to swim, to build up their confidence and self-esteem. I enjoyed this role very much.

In 2020 my second grandchild was born, and working full-time and helping my daughter with her children didn’t leave much time for volunteering.

In early 2022 my late Mum’s health started to decline and despite visiting her regularly I was getting daily phone calls from Mum’s friends and neighbours concerned about the strange behaviour Mum was demonstrating. Initially I was in denial as during my visits, Mum seemed her usual self, then on one visit I stayed longer than usual and Mum’s behaviour was very troubling and confused, I could no longer ignore the changes.

In July of that year I spoke with Mum and the rest of my family and we agreed I couldn’t work full-time, help my daughter with the grandchildren and give Mum the care she needed, so I took early retirement giving me the time to visit Mum more often.

I then decided to return to volunteering, this took the form of volunteering at a local day centre. Many of the clients that attended had a variety of conditions including Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis and Heart disease. Working at the day centre helped me understand many of the signs and symptoms Mum was demonstrating.

Sadly In December 2022 Mum’s condition had declined so much that she needed specialist Dementia care and in March 2023 Mum passed away. I was left with so many questions about her condition that I decided to study the topic completing a Level 2 in Dementia Care/ Awareness while continuing to volunteer at the day centre.

I like volunteering and giving back to my local community, it makes me feel valued and needed. Last year my involvement in the volunteer sector expanded after I saw an advert from Volunteer Cambridge looking for volunteers to join Home Start, a local Community Network that supports families with children of five and under with practical, emotional and confidential support.

As a Mum of three and a grandparent, plus having a work history within teaching and the Early Years sector, I felt I had a lot of experience and knowledge to share. In addition to this I volunteer for Care Network, Youth for Christ, Sun Network, Cambridge and Peterborough Dementia Panel, Dementia café, and I am a leader in training for the Guides and a member of the P.T.A. at my granddaughter’s school.

Many thanks to Christine