Following the theory that seven is a significant and lucky number (Seven Wonders of the World, seven dwarfs, seven days in a week etc.) we asked our Volunteer Coordinator, Sara Lamond, seven questions about Buddies.
1. When did you join Buddies?
May 2020 – during the first lockdown. I had registered as an NHS responder at the beginning of lockdown but didn’t get any calls then found Buddies through Cheshire East.
2. Why did you join?
I just wanted to help during the pandemic. I was furloughed, had time to spare and was quite comfortable going out and about shopping etc. It’s difficult to believe we were queuing outside Sainsbury’s!
3. What is your role now?
I’m the Volunteer Coordinator, so I match requests for support with volunteers, log activity, keep in touch with our volunteers and generally keep things ticking over.
4. What do you like most about Buddies?
Helping others genuinely makes you feel better. It’s a proven fact and it works. We can’t solve everyone’s problems but we can make a small difference to people’s lives. Someone told me recently that Buddies had made their life worth living again – if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face (or even a tear to your eye) I don’t know what will!
5. What are the main benefits of volunteering?
I have made some lovely friends and met lots of people through Buddies. I had only lived here for just over a year before the pandemic hit (I moved from Hampshire) and hadn’t really got to know many people or the area. Belonging to the Buddies family has opened up a huge network of people and even some employment opportunities – it’s been particularly great for me as a newcomer to the area.
6. What is difficult about volunteering?
I wouldn’t say there is anything difficult because we are volunteers, so the focus should be on enjoying what we do and making it work for us. That said, it has been an eye opener for me in terms of the challenges that some people have to face on a daily basis. I guess the difficulty with our kind of volunteering might be that we can’t fix everything for everyone but we do what we can.
7. What would you say to anyone considering volunteering?
Do it! Even if you’ve got limited time to spare. It’s really rewarding and you meet lots of lovely like-minded people. With Nantwich Buddies you don’t need to commit to a number of hours per week or regular times, it’s left entirely to the volunteers to make it work for them. It could be a 10 minute phone call once a week or a 3 hour round trip taking someone for a hospital appointment – and anything in between.