My name is Barry Simpson. I’m a 69-year-old retiree. I’ve spent most of my adult life in Harwich and Dovercourt.

I have been invited to speak here today, about my own journey as a volunteer, the importance of becoming a volunteer, and of having a strong volunteer network, both locally, and across all community activities.

In addition, to say something about the important subject of mental health, and the mental health improvement that can be gained through volunteering. I’ll be touching on my own, because it evidences real life experience.

When I first came to Harwich in 1973, I enjoyed the strong sense of community that Harwich had back then, and perhaps more than my share of the many opportunities that a thriving port town offered for its population.

From well-paying jobs, through good quality, affordable housing and social cohesion, right down to the 22 pubs that existed within in a single square mile in the old town. I instantly felt I belonged here.

In my time here, I’ve probably done a little bit of everything the town offered, from being a crew member on a ship, to a Policeman at the port, and from boat polisher to pest controller. I do recall particularly enjoying those 22 pubs, and I met both of my wives in one of them! I rarely go to a pub now, and if I do, I tend to avoid that one!!

In the fifty years since then, I’ve witnessed a severe decline in work opportunities, a fragmentation of the community and the near death of its spirit, along with a stark increase in social and financial inequality.

One can see all the changes of the world over the last fifty years, right here, in Harwich and Dovercourt. Despite all of that, I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else.

In 2020 I had my own, previously good mental health, breakdown, diagnosed as a severe depression and anxiety. I knew I wasn’t alone in this, the Covid lock down still has a lot to answer for!

‘I did find a metaphorical hiding place, and some peace in cycling’

Whilst I know now, what finally triggered my illness, dealing with it, and finding my way back to where I was before it’s onset, was extremely challenging. I knew I needed to do something but wasn’t at that time clear on what that something might be. I did find a metaphorical hiding place, and some peace, in cycling. I had spent rather too much money on my own bicycle (my wife still doesn’t know how much).

I cycled for hours, often riding all day, and into the night. Then one day, and for no other reason than my own mental state at that time, I sold my bike, and went walking instead, for miles, and for hours and hours.

A few years passed, and speaking with my wife Janet. I mentioned my regret at having sold my bicycle, and how I thought I might like to take up cycling again but was feeling frustrated that I no longer had the means to buy a bike, having firstly lost my job to my illness, followed by reaching retirement age and becoming a state pensioner.

It turned out, however, that my wife knew about Essex Pedal Power!

So, I applied for and received my bike! Then, for the very first time in my life, I volunteered to help. It started out mainly as a ‘thank you’ for my bike, or so I thought.

I learned to assemble bikes for other applicants to enjoy.

I learned to carry out basic repairs to bicycles. So new bike owners could continue to take advantage of the benefits of bike ownership, and the joy that riding can bring, and so I could repair my own, new bike

EPP trained me to be a group ride leader,  and I got involved in planning, and leading, group cycle rides, with groups of people I had never met before. And during these cycle rides, I saw firsthand the joy, and the respite from everyday drudgery that cycling in a group, for just an hour, could give to people, and that reflected my own, earlier experience of cycling.

Through EPP I re-qualified as a first aid giver. A prerequisite for a group ride leader, but also useful in everyday life.

I had my eyes, and my mind opened to how important projects such as this are in our community in what are difficult, and challenging times. And how vital it is that they are properly and consistently funded.

I saw and engaged properly, for the first time, with people who were much less fortunate than me, and, importantly, I experienced the true value of giving just a little of my time to help them. Before any of this, I had simply, not cared that much!

I’d like to believe that I became something of an advocate for The Active Wellbeing Society and Pedal Power.

Then, whilst all of that was happening, my mental health improved, and that improvement has continued, and is continuing today. My dear wife still describes this as my ‘happy place’!

I can summarise my journey as a volunteer with Essex Pedal Power as:

• The new skills I’ve learned.
• The genuine trust I’ve been shown by the project staff.
• The new acquaintances I’ve made.
• The new qualifications I have.
• My engagement with those we’re here to help.
• The support I’ve been privileged to experience from my fellow volunteers and the staff at the project.

Who, back when I started, consisted of the fabulously fantastic and incredibly caring Claire Cook, the absolute tower of strength, determination, and kind heartedness that is Karen Stimpson, and last but not least, the work tornado that is Carina Nea, whose fantastic work here, has now been taken over by the wonderful, and dare I say it? Apparently, ‘kissable’ Kelvin!

But wait! There’s one more thing. Three weeks ago, I was successful in applying for the perfect part time job, which I start on Monday.

In relation to that alone, I can draw no other conclusion than this:

If I hadn’t become a volunteer and a group ride leader. If I hadn’t been shown true support by everyone in this project. If I hadn’t been gently and somewhat skilfully (Claire) maneuverered into accepting more responsibility within my volunteer role, and lastly, if I had not been shown the trust I’ve been given. Even the task of looking for work would not have been possible.

As a volunteer, I am thanked after every day I spend with the project, whether it’s a bike building day, or helping at a fix it event, driving the van, or taking part in a group ride. They are sincere and heartfelt thankyou’s, I can tell.

In reality ladies and gentlemen, it’s me who should be thanking them!!

Read more about the transformative power of volunteering here.