Andrea's Story
Hi, what’s your name and what volunteering do you do now? Any volunteering you’ve done in the past?
My name is Andrea and I am involved in various roles and causes within the local community.
My volunteering journey started over 10 years ago when the Wandle Trust (now South East Rivers Trust) carried out a re-naturalisation project on the Wandle, near where we live, to improve the habitat for wildlife and asking for help from local residents. My husband and I helped with planting up the riverbanks first and then were able to attend training on invasive plant species and other river projects. We have continued to look after our local stretch of the river (litter picking, reporting pollution to the Environment Agency, pulling out Himalayan Balsam, etc).
While still working part-time I became a Nordic Walking Instructor for Age UK Sutton, helping to run the Beddington Park group on a Friday afternoon.
Since retiring from paid work, I continue with the above volunteering activities. Having more time, I am also involved in our Residents' Association, working with Sutton Housing Partnership and the Council, to make our area a better place to live and with a bit more community spirit and positivity. I also volunteer for the Carshalton Community Allotment (run by Ecolocal), the Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton, Hackbridge Litterpickers, Board Games & Cards Sessions for All at the Riverside Centre and any other local causes I can support on an "ad hoc" basis.
What got you interested in volunteering?
Any involvement and/or contribution, however big or small, in that field will be hugely appreciated by others as well as giving you a feeling of making a difference and belonging. Once you get started, you are likely to meet a lot of very nice and like-minded people.
John's Story
See John here shortlisted for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year at the Sutton Community Awards.
Hi, what’s your name and what volunteering do you do now?
I’m John Smith, I live in Carshalton. I started to volunteer soon after retiring in July 2023. I work mainly on garden clearances and tidy ups, posted by the Volunteer Centre, Sutton. Through Saint Raphael’s Hospice I became a compassionate neighbour so play chess weekly with a lovely old boy who lives in Sutton. I’m also acting as mentor for a young man in Roundshaw. Apart from that, I'm a member of the Hackbridge Litter Pickers, and look after a stretch of the River Wandle behind our home.
That sounds like a lot, but these events are weekly, leaving plenty of leisure time if I want it.
Any volunteering you’ve done in the past?
A few years ago, I worked with a group of volunteers on stretches of the river Wandle, removing litter (everything from beer cans to a carpet) and on small projects to make the Wandle more fish and wildlife friendly.
What got you interested in volunteering?
I got interested in volunteering to make retirement a success.
For me, that means getting out to the house, being physically active and meeting people. In the two-three years prior to retirement, I listened to people who had recently retired and what they were doing. One friend said he sometimes gets up with nothing to do that day, which for me is the worst thing. If you rest, you rust.
Anything you’d say to anyone interested in volunteering?
People often think, as I did, that volunteering means selling items in a charity shop, or an administrative role in the charity. I found the Volunteer Centre web site and liked the way it guides you towards opportunities that match your interests. That’s how I ended up doing mainly garden clearances.
Whatever you like, any volunteering job is satisfying; you meet interesting people who are grateful for the help.
You’re also likely to make more friends: the Hackbridge Litter Pickers always have tea/coffee and a chat at the end of the pick and occasionally meet at the Red Lion for the Thursday pub quiz.
Organisations mentioned:
- Hackbridge Litter Pickers
- South East Rivers Trust
- Age UK Sutton
- EcoLocal Carshalton Allotment
- Refugee Migrant Network Sutton
- The Riverside Centre
- Community Volunteer Squad
- St Raphael's Hospice
- MAPS Mentoring
They also volunteer with:
- Friends of Dale Park Group
- Hackbridge Plant Up/ Hackbridge & Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group
Click for more details, quoting you found out about it through Volunteer Centre Sutton. You can find some specific roles and more on Simply Connect.
If you’re interested in anything get in touch and we can help you out: https://vcsutton.org.uk/volunteer/
Read the February 2025 Volunteering Opportunities newsletter coming soon.
John's video from his award nomination:
