I got involved with and volunteer at Andy’s Man Club because not enough is done for mental health and Andy’s Man Club deserves recognition. They’re a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups. For me personally, Andy’s Man Club basically saved my life. Continue reading “Lee’s story – getting my confidence back at Andy’s Man Club”
I retired nearly 17 years ago and having never volunteered during my working life wanted to give something back, plus give myself an interest. I ended up as a trustee and secretary for the Friends of Beaumont Park. Continue reading “Ed’s story – Life as a Trustee of Natural Kirklees”
“We’ve been out together, various groups of us, doing some litter picking, some habitat management, bashing brambles and putting up bits of fencing… It’s been very good, because we’ve felt we’re doing something good for the area.” Continue reading “Sally’s story – I’d rather get out there and do things”
“For many years walking around the Pit Hill and enjoying walks here, I felt it could be improved much more for nature and the local community. So I started inviting my neighbours and local people to come and collect litter… Continue reading “Viv’s story – Improving our area for people and nature”
I have been volunteering at the Unity Shop for two months and it gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. To be working alongside other creative people is a real lift Continue reading “Elizabeth’s story – The great satisfaction of volunteering”
I want to tell you about the Hive Community Café at 46, John William Street in Huddersfield.
My story actually begins a few decades ago with me questioning my gender and sexuality. Over time it became increasingly difficult to cope with my internal conflict until in September 2020, I came out to my family as a transgender woman. Continue reading “Philippa’s story – My personal journey to helping others in the LGBTQ+ community”
I suffered with a range of mental health difficulties for a number of years and really needed some motivation, to get out of my house that I had been hiding away in for so long. My local community centre became that place Continue reading “Sarah’s story – My local community centre became my motivation”
It started with a conversation in the pub. A few of us were sat in the pub out of the football season, chatting about how we could resurrect Berry Brow Carnival. Continue reading “Alison’s story: Are you having a carnival?”
The Linthwaite Leadboilers Festival is about bringing residents of Linthwaite and the Colne Valley together, to celebrate “all things Linthwaite”. Continue reading “Liz’s story: Finding Linthwaite’s local identity”
I joined the More In Common Batley and Spen volunteer group for the Batley Iftar event in 2019 after attending my first communal Iftar the previous year Continue reading “Hafeezah’s story: Faith, traditions and skills – How community groups can celebrate and weave people together”
“I really believe if you’re doing volunteer work, then the work itself should be the reward not the recognition. It is that feeling of, “I’m really glad I did that” which is the important thing. There’s just something about it, such a nice feeling.”
Continue reading “Ray’s story: I get a buzz out of seeing people smile”
I’ve been a volunteer with Colne Valley Tree Society for 15 years. After work, getting outside in the fresh air is relaxing and helps with positive mental health. Continue reading “Duncan’s story: Growing a sense of community from an empty field”
I moved to Cleckheaton in 1999 and didn’t really take part in community life as I worked long hours outside of Kirklees. In 2018 I started volunteering for the Royal Voluntary Service and suddenly realised that I was a part of the community and what we have here is amazing. Continue reading “Kerry’s story: Sharing a sense of pride”
I finished work at Syngenta in Huddersfield in late 2019 after quite a number of years. I took some time to get work out of my system and consider what I could do with my time. Continue reading “Martin’s story: I’m keen to get involved in something”
Twenty-five years ago, a few of us formed the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group [MEG] to improve our village, Milnsbridge – once the heart of the thriving woollen industry but in decline at the end of the 20th Century. Continue reading “Jeremy’s story: Volunteering and fundraising with the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group”
When I found out that Kirklees Museums were looking for objects that could tell a story about the Covid-19 outbreak locally, I nominated our local helpline leaflet, a ziploc bag, pair of rubber gloves and a small bottle of hand gel. These items in some small way symbolise the story of our Golcar Mutual Aid Group. Continue reading “Jane’s story: Talent, skill and goodwill”
