Volunteers have been key in supporting the #BrumTogether befriending service and food distribution by helping pack, prepare and deliver food and other essential supplies across Birmingham.
To celebrate their hard work, we’ve created a series of ‘Meet the Volunteer’ profiles so that you can hear all about their experiences, learn why they got involved and find out what they’ve been up to.
Next up is John Courtney, a retired Clinical Scientist who previously worked for the NHS for 40 years. John has been volunteering three times a week, helping pack and distribute food parcels.
Q. How did you hear about #BrumTogether and what made you want to volunteer?
As a Christian, I have always been taught to help others. During the pandemic, I wanted to contribute to the community somehow, but I didn’t want to run the health risks for my wife by going back to the NHS.
My wife saw a social media message that mentioned what The Active Wellbeing Society were doing in response to Covid-19, so I signed up to volunteer. This way, I could contribute something while minimising the risk of bringing the virus home.
Q. Tell us about what you have been doing while volunteering. What have you enjoyed most about the experience?
I have been volunteering on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at Ladywood Community Centre and now we have moved the food distribution centre to Aston University Student Union. I’ve been packing carrier bags with food and I’ve also done some delivery runs, taking food to houses and flats.
Unloading the food deliveries from the vans at Ladywood Community Centre was very physically energetic. Transferring up to 70kg of supplies into shopping trolleys to move the food into the storage space was tiring, but now that there is better access at Aston University, pallet trucks can be used, saving time and energy.
The delivery runs are interesting, I like having to find my way around areas of the city that I am unfamiliar with. I enjoy the challenge and meeting the people receiving the food. Sometimes, I have packed some of the bags I deliver.
It has been interesting to see a side of the community that I knew nothing about.
Q. What motivates you to stay involved?
I am just grateful that I can contribute something to the wider community and I’m glad that I have the chance to do this through volunteering with BrumTogether. Helping others makes me appreciate the things I have and my life so much more. I realise I shouldn’t grumble.
I have also found that, although it’s a very busy environment, I have seen nothing but enthusiasm and hard work and never a complaint or cross word from staff and volunteers. I am impressed by the full-time staff at The Active Wellbeing Society, and other organisations who have suddenly been redeployed from their usual roles – they have to make quick decisions and get things done safely.
Also, I am fitter than when I started – seriously.
During Volunteers Week, we want to say a massive thank you to all of the volunteers for their hard work and support. If you would like to show your appreciation for volunteers, you can share a picture of your #WaveForVolunteers to say thank you and show that volunteers are #NeverMoreNeeded.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit www.theaws.co.uk/support to find out more.
