A letter to Volunteering

Volunteering I want to thank you for being someone I have recently been able to get to know. 

There is so much you have taught us all and there are so many people in your local network that you have kindly introduced us to.

I have realised since getting to know you that our busy everyday lives sometimes don’t give us the ability to get to know the person 3 doors down or two streets behind. We wouldn’t know their face or their circumstances and thanks to you we are meeting them.

I need you to know that you are making us take stock of our everyday lives, make a mental note about what is important and what we can live without.

You are helping us to recognise the importance of community and team.

You are making us look more deeply at our relationships, family and friends and ask questions we haven’t stopped to ask for a long time. That is priceless.

Whilst we are spending time with you, you're giving us a purpose and a new team that we can rely on, laugh with and care about. The coming together of people with shared goals, values and intentions is happening everywhere because of you. 

It’s because of you that communities like mine are demonstrating acts of kindness everywhere. Its because of you time and conversation have become a gift.

It’s because of you the elderly like Lucy are getting the medications they need, their dogs walked, their lawns tended, their food delivered and a break from lonely. 

It's because of you local businesses have again been able to become the beating heart of our town. Their generosity and selfless approach to the job will always be remembered.

It’s because of you and the bad guy in this story, Covid-19, that people in our communities who have been coping alone are asking for help and realising it will come and it has been needed all along.

What’s AP group to What’s AP group strangers are becoming friends and sharing stories, streets are sharing jokes, video and positive messages. You have bought this to us. You have drawn this out. You have restored community.

I for one can’t thank you enough for the way you make me feel. You are incredible, unassuming, insightful and colourful. You are happy, positive and resilient. You are non-judgemental, caring and accommodating. You are quick to respond, solve and listen.

I needed you to know volunteering that you have turned up at a time that many of us just needed you and spread so much hope, opportunity for good and learning among a group of people who’s fast forward lives would never have allowed.

I never want you to leave Volunteering because when you do it won’t be the same. We will miss you if you choose to leave us.

I wanted to write you this letter so you understood you have changed our little town and towns every where forever, you have adjusted our future, our mindset and our streets.

Thank you

Kate

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