'You are directly improving peoples’ lives' - volunteers on the importance of Kenilworth day centre
"You are directly improving peoples' lives" is the message from a volunteer at Kenilworth's Waverley, who is encouraging more locals to give up their free time for the charity.
Since retiring as manager of the Hilton at the NEC last year, Patrick Stapleton has become one of the many volunteers who help drive the minibus which is so vital for getting isolated members of the community out of their homes and to the day centre.
Patrick drives the minibus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, helping collect a number of residents from their homes and take them to the Waverley Road centre where they join together for food, socialising and even a number of activities.
"I enjoy this because - I know it's a bit of an old cliché - but I enjoy meeting people," he told Nub News.
"It's an extension of my old job really, and it is all about helping people.
"This is a direct way of being able to support a local charity that hasn't got a lot of money."
He added: "They [the clients] show a huge amount of trust in you.
"It's remarkable and you don't take it lightly."
Since starting volunteering in October, Patrick said he has really enjoyed getting to know the regulars and their individual personalities.
He has already started taking them further afield in the minibus, with short trips seeing the clients visit Hatton Locks, Leamington Spa town centre, local HS2 works and even for a nose at the new housing developments around Kenilworth.
"We have smooth FM on in the afternoon and we're singing to Dire Straits or Pet Shop Boys the other day," Patrick said, discussing how fun the volunteering can be.
"One of the carers asked me to turn the radio down, but one of the ladies asked me to turn it up as it was their favourite song!
"It was the Pet Shop Boys and she was singing along to it. We do have great fun with them, I have to say.
"You know, they come here expecting a bit of a show, for want of a better word."
Fellow volunteer Denise Cheetham, who has been going to Waverley for around 13 years, was also very positive about the centre, where she works in the kitchen.
"I have enjoyed it from the start, and it is all about giving something back," she told Nub News.
"And I have the time to do it, so I thought why not.
"For me it is a good way of being involved in the community as well as the opportunity to meet people and make new friends."
Having first seen the advert in the St John's Church bulletin, Denise first volunteered one day a week but has slowly increased her hours over the years.
Now one of the centre's longest-serving volunteers, she is also encouraging more locals to get involved.
"It's a lovely atmosphere," she continued.
"The staff are great to work with.
"There's a real team spirit with people willing to step into other roles when required to do so."
It was the same message from husband and wife Rob and Kerry Musgrove who first came to Waverley after retiring in 2018 and seeing first hand what a difference the charity makes to the lives of local people.
"A friend's mother had been going to Waverley and both her and her family were saying how much she enjoyed it and the benefit of that for her family," they said.
And for fellow minibus driver Rob, he says he gets a lot out of the role himself.
"It is a rewarding role, the people I am picking up clearly look forward to their day at Waverley and are very grateful for the minibus service without which they wouldn't be able to attend," he added.
Across befriending, driving and working in the kitchens, there are around 20 volunteers at Waverley.
Originally launched as a lunch club in the 1980's, the centre has grown over the decades and is now a place where the elderly can come and relax, socialise with others, and even take part in a range of stimulating activities.
Open from mid-morning to 3.30pm Tuesday to Friday, the centre offers guests a warm welcome and an alternative for those who may otherwise be forced to stay at home alone for most of the week.
Centre manager Anne Cross said none of that would be possible if it was not for the team of dedicated volunteers.
"Our volunteers make a huge difference to the running of the centre, and to the everyday lives of our clients," she said.
"We are incredibly grateful to all they do, and how flexible they all are. I know all our volunteers get a lot out of it themselves, as well as helping our clients.
"And we are always looking for more volunteers, so please do get in contact if you would like to find out more - even if you only have a few hours a month to give to us."
If you are interested in becoming a guest at Waverley, or if you have a relative or friend who would benefit from meeting new people, contact Anne Cross on 01926 852365 or by email at [email protected].
Waverley sponsors Kenilworth Nub News.
Without community-minded partners like them, we would not be able to provide clickbait-free news to the people of Kenilworth.
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