I’ve been volunteering at Emmaus Village Carlton for over 20 years and joined not long after Emmaus started up in Carlton. I’d retired and given up work and a lady by the name of Sue, who helped run the café, introduced me to Village Carlton which is very local to me as I live in Harrold.
Christmas Shop
When I began volunteering, I started off sorting through bags of clothes, but over the years I’ve worked in all the various areas. At the moment I mainly work in the Christmas section with another volunteer called Anne, so we’re busy sorting donations throughout the year. I’ve worked with Anne for about three years, and we sort through all the decorations, festive clothing and gifts. Our Christmas Shop opens in the Chapel every year from mid-October to January.
Before I worked with Anne on the Christmas section, I worked in the Bistro and Bric a Brac shop, but Covid brought about many changes. I didn’t go back to my old job serving customers, I’m behind the scenes now and can work at my own pace and I don’t have to do a lot of standing or anything, which suits me. I’m 90 on 5th June and I still like to keep myself busy. I did used to love walking, but now I like reading and a bit of gardening.
A supportive community
I’ve loved every bit of my time volunteering here – I’ve enjoyed working with everyone. I think it’s the people and the companions themselves who make it so lovely, I just love the whole place.
I’ve seen a lot of people coming and going over the years, staff members and the companions themselves who all have their own personal stories, Emmaus is the companions’ home, and we’re invited in to help them out every now and again, which is a real privilege.
I think with a lot of volunteers, it’s not only us giving our time, but also what we get back, which to me is the mainstay. With the companions you can have some repartee and some fun, you have a good working relationship with them, so it’s a good place to be.
Last year I lost my husband David, so it’s been a tough year but, again, Emmaus have helped me through it and have been very supportive. David started at Emmaus around the same time as I did and he worked on the electrical donations. David and the people he worked with were willing to pass on their skills to those companions who were interested, which really helped them.
I do have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren who are very young – the trouble is, I can’t get on the floor with them anymore! I have difficulty getting back up!
Benefits of volunteering
Volunteering has brought me a lot of happiness, I just like being with people. It can be hard work in some areas, but we’re treated well and it’s very rewarding on a personal level.
Emmaus is fantastic – I could tell you wonderful stories of many of the companions that have left and I wouldn’t say bettered themselves, but they’ve found themselves and found a way again, thanks to the support they’ve received.
We could always do with more volunteers and age is certainly no barrier, as long as you can laugh, you’ll be fine. It helps to have a sense of humour!
I don’t like change, but I don’t dislike anything that they’re doing at Emmaus. Forget computers and everything else though, just give me a pen and paper!
Some photos of Marjorie volunteering over the years and enjoying her 90th birthday celebration!
