How little acts of kindness add up and enrich the community
“No! No! No!” Ann* protested when, at the end of our chat, I asked if I could have a photo of her to illustrate this blog. She hastily added, “It’s not that I’m ashamed about what I do – far from it - but it’s simply my business and I choose not to tell everyone.” Ann is a thoughtful, perhaps, unassuming woman who makes a regular commitment as a Communities 1st volunteer. I suggested that she might be hiding her light under a bushel. She responded saying that “I don’t think I do a great deal for Communities 1st. It doesn’t take long, and I can easily fit it into my life.”
I commented that I thought Ann did a huge amount but, in any case, it is not so much the size of the job you do that is important, but rather the regular and reliable commitment you make. Undoubtedly, little acts of kindness add up and the community is the richer for them all.
To go back to the start
Ann, in her sixties and living in Bishop’s Stortford, worked for many years in banking. After her son was born, and he is now grown up and left home, she transferred to work in the local branch of the bank in Bishops Stortford. “I loved being branch based,” she commented, “and I made lots of friends.” Now retired, Ann enjoys holidays and daytrips with her husband; meals out; and helping her brother. “And Jess, my dog, takes me out for lots of walks!”
In 2020, Ann started volunteering with Communities 1st. “It was during COVID and I worked at two vaccination centres. I helped inside, welcoming and settling people and outside I helped in the car parks.” Since COVID I’ve helped with shopping. I also monitored the health of a gentleman living by himself.” She added that “in 2023, I helped support a newly arrived NHS nurse from India. I checked his accommodation before he arrived, showed him around the area, and helped with information.”
Shopping for Karen
Today, Ann’s role with Communities 1st is mainly shopping for a 98-year-old lady called Karen*. “She’s amazing,” said Ann. “Her mind is very clear, but her body is failing and her mobility is not good. Her sight is very poor. Despite all this, Karen keeps upbeat, and I enjoy chatting with her.”
Ann shops for Karen on a weekly basis. “I get Karen’s shopping list from Communities 1st, do the shopping and then help her unpack. We will have a chat about anything – her health, how she is feeling, and what she needs.” This social contact is important to Karen but also to Ann. “If you’re shopping for someone once a week, of course, you build a relationship with them. It’s not simply doing the shopping and dropping it off.”
In fact, Ann already knew Karen before she started shopping for her. For the last few years, Ann has been volunteering one afternoon a month with the Bishop’s Stortford VIP Club for the visually impaired which her friend organises. “I help with transport, join in the games, and help with the refreshments. Karen attends the club.”
Volunteering need not be a big deal!
Ann estimates that she spends about an hour and a half each week shopping for Communities 1st. “That’s not very much, is it?” she commented. “I can easily manage what I’m doing, and I think it’s the right balance. If there was an emergency, I would always do shopping for someone else. I like the fact that Communities 1st never puts pressure on you to do more. They don’t take you for granted. They have been brilliant and are very understanding.”
During COVID, Ann remembers, Communities 1st had lots of volunteers. She thinks it’s a shame that today there is a need for more people to come forward. She reflected “Communities 1st does a good job in supporting the community and the volunteers. I’d recommend them to anyone who is thinking about volunteering.” She added, “I enjoy my time helping. It gives me a good feeling about myself and about helping other people.”
*Not their real names.
Written by: Chris Cloke, Communities 1st Volunteer