Inspire Magazine - Summer 2016

Volunteers’ Week
Volunteer Liz is presented with
a certificate at a Volunteers’
Week thank you lunch in June.
Our volunteers make a huge
difference to the lives of others
by selflessly giving their time
to get involved in all kinds
of different projects across
Manchester. Many of these
projects just couldn’t happen
without volunteers, so we
would like to thank them for
their fantastic contribution.
Introducing some of our
wonderful volunteers:
Name: Sammy Minshull
Role: As a literacy champion Sammy
helps people with their reading and
writing and as an Anson Community
Shop volunteer she helps people get
good quality food and household
goods at an affordable price
(see page 7).
Why? “I got involved because I love
helping people; it’s in my heart. I get
a lot of satisfaction from volunteering
and it’s also built my confidence up
over the years. I think I’d die without it.
Name: David Jones
Role: David volunteers as a digital
champion at Will Griffiths Court
retirement scheme helping teach
people basic IT skills.
Why? “Volunteering has offered me
an enhancement of skills and in return
for that I’ve been welcomed into
Will Griffiths Court. I’m meeting new
people and seeing the participants
enjoying the skills I’m sharing with
them, so you don’t just give, you
receive so much.”
Name: Valerie Beaumont
Role: As a Job Club volunteer at
Turing House in Hulme, Valerie helps
get people back into work.
Why? “I’d been a social worker for
20-odd years but then had to finish
due to ill health which left me feeling
depressed. Volunteering gave me an
outlet, got me back mixing with the
community and meeting new people,
and helped me transfer my skills to
help people get back on their feet.
Seeing people learning and gaining
confidence gave me confidence. I
love volunteering because I feel I’m
helping. I’d be lost without it.”
Name: Fatima Manar
Role: As a cultural ambassador,
Fatima helps to make sure local
people get the chance to enjoy the
theatre, music, art and other cultural
activities on offer in Manchester.
Why? “The theatre and other cultural
activities are often classed as elite
activities that aren’t affordable, but
there are lots of things going on within
walking distance and ways of getting
cheap and even free tickets which
people should benefit from. You don’t
have to be in a classroom to learn.
Culture is entertainment but it’s also
education. As a cultural ambassador
I want to promote cultural activities to
my children and to my community so
they can enjoy and learn.”
Is it time you volunteered?
To find out about volunteering
opportunities call Sarah
Roberts or email sarah.roberts@
onemanchester.co.uk
16 | @onemcr