Communities 1st is a great antidote to the view that “there is no such thing as society”!
“It’s fantastic what Communities 1st is doing,” Mike told me when I eventually tracked him down and he told me about his experience as a volunteer. “You provide a wide range of valuable services to support the community,” he continued. “There are many people who are vulnerable and in need of help. I am pleased to do my bit to help.”
Mike Pittendreigh, in his mid-sixties, is a busy man. He has lived, with his wife, near Potters Bar for over ten years and before that he lived in Finchley. He has had a career in education having trained and worked as a teacher. For eight years he was the headteacher of a secondary school in North London. He went on to become an Assistant Director of Education. He 'retired' three years ago. “That’s a bit of a misnomer,” he explained, “because today I work about three days a week as a consultant. I have never been busier and that suits me fine. I like to be busy! I’m not very good not working! That’s one of the reasons why I volunteer.”
He helps look after his grandchildren, which he considers a privilege, is a school governor, and supports his church. “I enjoy computing,” he added, “and spend a lot of time in front of the screen. I suppose that’s a bit sad!” Not really, I sought to reassure him.
Into this busy life he fits volunteering with Communities 1st.
Shopping is important – it’s so much more than delivering groceries
Mike began volunteering with Communities 1st during the COVID pandemic. “I responded to the national call for help and found myself marshalling queues at the vaccination centre. I also delivered pulse oximeters for a couple of months.”
“Then I was asked to help with shopping, and I’ve been doing that ever since!” Today, Mike shops for up to four people and probably does two or three shops a week. “I enjoy it and can see that it is a really valuable service.” He continued, “the shopping is appreciated by my regulars but often more than anything they like a quick chat. They tell you what’s going on in their lives. Their aches and pains!”
“The back-stories to people’s lives are so interesting. One man, I shop for, Arthur*, used to be a musician in a backing group for one of the world’s most famous pop groups. He would tour with them. Arthur proposed to his wife at the urging of one of the lead singers. It is a pleasure to talk to Arthur. He has had so many interesting experiences.”
Mike also shops for Phyllis* who is very different. “She is quite proper. We talk about the weather.” He also does a small shop once a week for another older lady who is in an independent living scheme. He explained “I enjoy the chat - and the shopping. It makes you feel better. It is nothing too onerous and I can fit it into my life easily. I probably spend a couple of hours each week on the shopping.”
The social contact is important… there really is such a thing as society
Mike believes that the social contact that volunteers have with the community is vital. “In the past, the milkman or neighbours would sound an alert if someone had experienced a fall or needed help. That doesn’t always happen today. I find that Communities 1st is very proactive in helping as soon as you raise a concern with them. They leap into action. The staff are approachable, always pleasant, helpful, and appreciative of what you do.”
“Communities 1st,” he concludes, “is a good antidote to the view that there is no such thing as society or the community. You do fantastic things and are much needed. What, of course, would be even more fantastic is if there were no need for Communities 1st. Sadly, today that is not the case so we should do our bit to support and strengthen the community.”
Mike, I reflected, is like a good Samaritan, as are so many of our volunteers. Communities 1st cannot function without them. Thank you.
*Not their real name.
Written by: Chris Cloke, Communities 1st Volunteer