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Volunteer stories |
 This must be our first Volunteer Stories featuring a couple! We are delighted to introduce Teresa and Nick who both volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees and are even asking friends to make a donation to our charity instead of giving presents for their special anniversary.
We asked them a few questions and they have answered separately using their initials: 1. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and your different interests? T. I trained as a librarian working in technical and medical libraries. I enjoy playing walking netball and swimming. I also go on cycle rides with a ladies' group. I’ve always enjoyed reading, particularly fantasy. I volunteer at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans, backstage and front of house, but do not act! I sing in St Albans Rock Choir and am an active member of St Bartholomew’s Church. N. I worked for various organisations in building, construction and architecture. I started in research and testing and moved on to technical information and publishing, from magazines to conference proceedings and books. My last job before I retired was in the same organisation I had first worked for 40 years earlier! I’ve always enjoyed music, particularly jazz and blues, and when I retired I got involved with the National Jazz Archive in Loughton, Essex, where I helped with fund-raising concerts, marketing and communications, as well as practical jobs like putting up shelves. And for the past six years, I’ve been selling books donated to the Archive to raise funds to support its work. I’ve been a cyclist for many years, for pleasure and commuting, and have been part of St Albans Cycle campaign for 10 years. 2. I know you started welcoming volunteers by organising ESOL lessons through your church. What led you to move on to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees? Is there a particular motivating factor? T. I set up an English conversation group for asylum seekers at a local hotel in St Albans. I became involved with finding solicitors, supporting applications to Oaklands College for ESOL, and finding volunteering opportunities. I found I was struggling to understand the complications of dealing with the Home Office and the hotel, and realised that I needed the support of a formal organisation. Therefore I joined HWR. 3. What does your volunteering involve? T. I gave advice to a number of asylum seekers from the hotel, particularly when they became refugees. N. I organise Bikeability training for refugees. In parallel, I collect bikes donated by good people in St Albans and nearby. A bike mechanic then kindly maintains and checks them to make sure they are good to ride. When refugees pass the bike training, I give them bikes, along with helmets, locks and lights. HWR has a county-wide bike scheme, and I’m one of the small team who collect donated bikes, take them to our bike mechanic in Borehamwood for checking, and then deliver them to refugees all over the county. 4. What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the work? T. Most challenging – dealing with the Home Office. Most rewarding – when refugees find work and are settled in accommodation. N. I can do basic bike maintenance, but I’m not a bike mechanic. Fortunately, HWR has some of them! It’s also a challenge to ensure that the people we give bikes to are going to be safe of British roads, with British drivers. The gratitude shown by refugees when we give them a bike is very rewarding, and it’s good to give them some independence and freedom in this way. 5. What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees? T. HWR is a well-run volunteering organisation, with a good structure, clear boundaries, and lots of support for volunteers. I would suggest that potential volunteers come to an event and talk to other volunteers. N. If you enjoy bikes and cycling, you can share your skills and enthusiasm with people in tough circumstances, to give them some independence and the chance to enjoy cycling too. 6. You and your husband Nick are celebrating your 50th anniversary this summer, many congratulations. It is so generous that instead of presents you are asking people to donate to Herts Welcomes Refugees, thank you so much. We do not need any presents and, as we’re both involved with HWR, we’ve asked those coming to our anniversary party to make a donation to HWR. Thank you so much Teresa and Nick, for all you do for Herts Welcomes Refugees and beyond! There is more information on the bike scheme here |
