15/06/2021

Celebrating Volunteers Week at Reach

Volunteers across the country have been busy celebrating Volunteers Week. We caught up with Wayne Wilmot, Volunteer Manager at local charity Reach Learning Disability, about the work volunteers do to support them.

How many volunteers work at Reach and Flower Pod?

Across our centres in Mansfield, Southwell, Newark and the two Flower Pods in Newark and Southwell, we have 130 regular volunteers.

Wow, managing those must be a full time job?

We are fortunate that a major grant from The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) has funded a 5-year ‘All Part of Life’ project which funds my post to develop volunteering opportunities.

What kind of jobs do volunteers do?

At Flower Pod, they help with gardening – from weeding and watering to arranging flowers, and supporting in the classes. At our centres, they help with classes for our clients with learning disabilities, from cooking, art, crafts, computer skills, and exercise to singing and music.

Why are so many people willing to give up their time to Reach and Flower Pod?

The volunteers tell me they get back as much as they give. There is such a sense of community at Reach – they develop real friendships with our clients and each other.

So what age range are your volunteers?

They range from 16 to 74 – from students and bricklayers to social workers and architects.

Now lockdown has been lifted, are your volunteers back?

Volunteers are back working outdoors at Flower Pod, and hopefully will return to the centres later this month. We missed them so much – it has been fantastic to have the happy buzz back in the garden.

What has been your biggest achievement at Reach?

Undoubtedly, it is the van! The grant from TNLFC funds the van and my first job was to purchase it. During lockdown we used it to deliver over 6000 activity packs to clients while our centres were closed.

Do you need more volunteers?

Yes, please email me wayne.wilmot@reachuk.org  if you can help. We particularly need volunteer drivers.