A Volunteer’s Story… Carol | VAST Volunteering

VAST is always up for something different and we certainly had a unique volunteer enquiry back in November!

Carol is a business lawyer living in Sweden, with her family. Her father is from Stoke-on-Trent but has lived in Sweden since 1971. Carol has always had room in her heart for Stoke-on-Trent and the people here. Carol adores to visit Stoke-on-Trent and visit family but wanted to do something a bit different on her next visit and wanted to volunteer! Our Volunteer Brokerage Service jumped at the chance to support Carol in finding a volunteering opportunity that fit her skillset and her interests in working with children.

Once Carol confirmed the dates of her next visit, Projects Officer Sian Osborn identified a few different charities that work with children and provide a range of different services and activities and presented these to Carol for her to decide which one she would like to support on her week-long visit.

Carol and Sian decided that Better Together Community Support Group was a great option as they have so many different elements to their fantastic charity. Birgit, the CEO and Founder, absolutely jumped at the chance to accommodate Carol and involve her in the amazing work that Better Together carry out in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

March soon rolled around, and Carol arrived in Stoke-on-Trent. During her week with Better Together, Carol helped with community lunches, primary school visits, playgroups and assisted with administration around legal agreements using her professional skillset as a lawyer.

Sian was able to meet with Carol before she left, and heard all about the different things that she had been up to during her time with Better Together. Carol had such a great time and is now a Patron of Better Together which is an amazing result and a great way to keep a working relationship going between Carol and Better Together.

Quote from Carol: “I’ve always loved Stoke and the people. It’s heart-breaking to see what services are needed, but Better Together are so welcoming and they always have a smile on their face.”

Quote from Birgit: “We had the privilege to meet Carol and offer her a volunteer opportunity. We are what our organisation says; ‘Better Together’. We quickly adopted Carol, and involved her in all of our different activities. Carol helped even our youngest volunteer, aged 2, had endless cuddles from our fury volunteer Paula and also became one of our patrons. We are truly honoured and very fortunate to have this wonderful lady on board.”