Volunteers’ Week – Bill’s Story

“I started volunteering Willowbrook around 8 or 9 years ago – after retiring as a City of Liverpool Magistrate (voluntary role) and I wanted to continue volunteering but in a different capacity. A respected, much-needed and well-loved charity – Willowbrook – was the obvious choice.

Here at Willowbrook I currently have two very different volunteering roles – I’m part of the bereavement support team and I help out at the café at the Living Well one morning a week.

The bereavement support team is a small group who work under the guidance of the Hospice Family Liaison Officer. We work with recently bereaved people who are looking for some kind of support at what is a very difficult time for them. That support can be either in a group setting or on a one-to-basis.

I work with people in the one-to-one situation and though it’s often challenging, it’s also rewarding to know that you’re offering some support to people when they’re at their most vulnerable.

Working in the Living Well café is different all together. My work there involves clearing tables, washing dishes and serving at the counter – interacting with the customers and the rest of the team. It can be demanding – four hours on your feet can be tough – but it’s enjoyable and I’ve picked up loads of new culinary tricks!

If you can and if you have a little free time, you will, I’m confident, find satisfaction and reward in giving something back to your community. Willowbrook has been a big part of our local community for years now, helping and supporting countless individuals and families through difficult times. Without volunteers that vital support could so easily come to an end.

There’s a lot of personal satisfaction from knowing that by volunteering at Willowbrook you’re helping people get through very tough times. Your help may be indirect but it certainly helps and, of course, you get to meet lots of new, like-minded people and pick up all kinds of new skills.

I’ve been lucky to have quite a few great jobs but volunteering at Willowbrook is one of the most rewarding. A priest told me that the greatest gift you can ever receive is the opportunity to help other people; volunteering here at Willowbrook has helped me understand exactly what he meant.”

Thank you Bill, we would be lost without your help!