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National Volunteers’ Week 2022: 1-7 June

1st June 2022

Aged from 17 to over 80  – today, at the start of National Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) we’re saying a huge THANK YOU to all the brilliant and dedicated volunteers who support the work of our charity in so many ways!

Over a hundred of our own residents support various activities here at Whiteley Village and services such as our library, charity shop and furniture shop. We also have almost 90 people coming in from the local community to help run our Village Shop, support our Clubhouse and Reception and the activities in our care homes for example.

Diane Gosling (main picture) is one of our longest serving volunteers and following a break, serendipitously returned to us for the first time today to help out at the residents’ Jubilee Party in our Eliza Palmer Hub care home.

Diane said “I started volunteering for Whiteley in 2014, but I first came to the Village to camp as a Girl Guide aged 12, and later came back camping as a Guide leader. I live in Hersham and have always loved the Village  – it’s a wonderful place with a great atmosphere and I really enjoy coming here.”

Vicki McDonald volunteers on our Reception and has supported our charity since 2020. Lilian Meagher, Volunteer Coordinator said: “We are fortunate to have some fantastic volunteers supporting us, like Diane and Vicki.

“Vicki greets our visitors and is always friendly and smiling which is so important as our Reception team are often the first people visitors speak to when they come to the Village. Often, we need volunteers to be flexible and sometimes to step in at short notice, and Vicki is always happy to help if she can and willing to try new things.

“We were so pleased to reopen our Lantern Café after Covid, and it’s now become really popular again with visitors and residents alike. But we couldn’t keep it open without our committed team of volunteers – many of whom also generously bake many of the delicious cakes we sell which all help to raise vital funds for the work we do for older people in need in our community.”

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for our charity please contact Lilian Meagher, Volunteer Coordinator on 01932 842360 or email: lillian.meagher@whiteleyvillage.org.uk or read more on our website here.