My name is Wendy Baker, and I am a volunteer for the Dreamdrops Children’s charity.
I was asked to join the charity almost 8 years ago. I was known, to the then Chairman, for the work I was doing with Young Enterprise and for my experience with special needs children, especially autism. As well as the child, the parents/carers, and siblings in the family needed support too, either in hospital or in the local community. The fact that the charity could make a difference with both time and equipment and offer that much needed support makes my role so worthwhile.
What was your inspiration for volunteering?
As a child I lived close to a school for Down Syndrome children and used to raise money with my friends during the school holidays. From there I became a Special Constable in London, which I did in the evenings and at weekends and have continued volunteering with organisations ever since. On a personal basis, having spent a lot of time in hospital with one of my children. I know how much it meant to me that there were people taking the time to volunteer and raise money to make my stay as comfortable as possible with some basic home comforts when it was a very difficult time of our life as a family.
What does volunteering involve?
Volunteering to me means helping, supporting, developing and growing your chosen charity or organisation with time and experience. It means working with people as a team member, sharing ideas and thinking out of the box at times!
What have you gained by volunteering?
I have gained enormous experience and skills that I would never have gained just by working in my full-time job. One volunteering roll gave me training in emergency and critical incident management and other rolls introduced me to the management of people, communication skills and the understanding that you can only do your best to make a difference to any situation, but you cannot always solve the problem!
What has been your favourite moment volunteering?
I have had too many to mention, but with all my volunteering work, just to see a smile and the relief on someone’s face, albeit an adult or child, is enough and says it all.
Why should other people volunteer?
We need volunteers, whether in your own community or with a charity/larger organisation. What help you put into volunteering; you get twice as much back when you least expect it! Friendship and just having fun!
What three words describe volunteering?
Friendship, experiences, understanding.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering for Dreamdrops please get in touch.
