We caught up with two of our volunteers for a chat, and started by asking them how they got involved with Hornsey Vale as volunteers.
Rose learnt about the need for additional weekend keyholders when she started playing badminton at the centre.
Of the Centre, she says “It’s such great resource, I had some time and Debra [Mendes, HVCA Chair] is very persuasive… there may have been tea and cake involved!”
Of her role, Rose explains, “I’m one of a group of keyholders for the community centre. I lock up one day a week and usually cover one weekend a month. This involves opening and closing the centre (I have an impressive set of keys!) as well as meeting and greeting any parties. We have a rota and everyone is very helpful and happy to swap days so it never feels too difficult.”
Val’s HVCC volunteering journey started a little differently, bringing one of her passions to an existing event.
“My volunteer role at Hornsey Vale is doing something I love – offering gentle exercise to music with the monthly Wednesday Lunch Club. We enjoy ourselves, move our bodies at our own pace, have fun and even share a little dance at end if we feel like it – either in our chairs or standing up.”
For Val, a table tennis player who enjoys playing at the centre, a chance meeting with the Centre Manager gave rise to the exercise sessions. Val explains, “For many years I was self-employed running Chair Based Exercise classes in the local community but had to retire because of covid and missed it dreadfully. I had never thought of volunteering until one day I walked into HVCC to collect some lost property & met Emma who was so welcoming that I suddenly had a flash that here was a way I could continue teaching and thankfully Emma said yes!”
Volunteering is definitely not just about giving. As Rose says, “It’s really lovely to see how well used the centre is and getting to know some of the regular hirers – there’s much more going on than I realised. It’s good to feel part of that and occasionally when closing after a party there’s cake. There’s plenty of support and it’s great to be a small part of something at the centre of the community.”
This sentiment is echoed by Val: “Volunteering has given me back the joy of sharing gentle exercise, music and dance with others who hopefully will enjoy it too. It has also given me the opportunity to feel part of a new community, making new friends and enhancing my sense of purpose at this later stage of life.”
What would these volunteers advise to someone considering volunteering?
“I would say, go for it, as you never know what positive things it will bring to your life,” says Val. “You’re never too old or even too young to try it out! A hint might be to ‘share your passion’ for something, otherwise, just helping out with whatever is needed at the time.”