Volunteer for a big reward in your life

A FORMER community warden is encouraging more people to volunteer.

Margaret Cowie gave a speech to Forres Community Council on her role as Moray Council volunteer development officer, talking about how rewarding the role is personally and for the people who depend on the generosity of others.

She said: "Volunteering has always given me a great deal of satisfaction. I have always been a community-minded person and liked to get involved with supporting people and activities. My current post seemed a natural progression from being a warden when I used to encourage the local community to get involved in litter picks, gardening group, netball and Film Forres. Volunteering provides benefits for all involved.

"Feedback we get from staff, families, those who receive our service and the volunteers themselves is heart-warming and reassures us to keep doing what we do."

The volunteer development team of two deals with referrals from staff in departments within health and social care, to find volunteer buddies and alarm responders for clients. Margaret and her colleague recruit volunteers, support them through the application process including PVG applications, organise training, support the matching process and follow-on reviews.

"There are currently 26 volunteers in the Forres area including me," said Margaret. "Their age range is 24 to 85! Twenty-one are supporting people in buddy roles including shopping, local walks, swimming, home visits, flower arranging, playing cards and dominoes, going out for coffee and chatting. We have 10 alarm responders, five of which are also buddies, myself included."

There are numerous volunteering opportunities within Health and Social Care across Moray including: buddy roles for a few hours once a week or fortnight; alarm responders as and when required; and day service activities.

Margaret said: "The types of volunteering cover a wide variety of roles which can appeal to all ages from 16 upwards.

"There is something for anyone who wish to support people in the community. It can be a few minutes on a call out to check on someone's well-being, to one to two hours a week visiting someone in their home for a chat and a cuppa, giving a carer some respite to go about their tasks knowing their loved one has company or going for walks to supporting someone in staying independent while they do their own shopping.

"Volunteering can be flexible to fit with people’s lifestyles. Being a volunteer alarm responder allows people with no-one else to stay in their own homes for as long as possible."

For more information see www.moray.gov.uk/volunteering or call 01343 563515.