Caroline and Jane mulled over why they had both become involved in volunteering for charities: what had motivated them and why they had chosen the organisations they have volunteered for. In discussing this talk beforehand they had discovered that their parents were all heavily involved in working with local charities and with the community in which they lived.

Caroline first volunteered in the 70’s with St Mungo’s Homeless Charity, going out on the night soup run to feed rough sleepers in Spitalfields Market and Kings Cross.  However, full-time work put paid to these all-night ventures. Caroline said the St Mungo’s work was not due to altruism but rather because she fancied the boy who suggested it.  She couldn’t remember having any training at all.  Then she did a longer stint with the Samaritans, again on the suggestion of someone else. The training was rigorous and selective and the support from the shift leader immense. There were scary moments, problems with nuisance callers, but, on the whole, it was an extraordinary experience. She said it gave her a new perspective on things.

Jane said her motivation was more work related at first; in her academic life charities such as Leonard Cheshire and Different Strokes (which works with younger stroke survivors) asked her to evaluate their staff communication programmes or the difficulties faced by stroke survivors returning to work.  In her academic life Jane said she worked closely with people all the time while Caroline’s more solitary life as an artist has caused her to seek people-centred volunteering.  Jane now volunteers for the Alde & Ore Estuary Trust where the environment takes centre stage.

Caroline now works with CRUSE bereavement support locally here. She wanted to work with people face to face and not on the telephone. Once again, she was well trained and has the support of a supervisor. She said “I think it’s important to stress the importance of support and of the wisdom of other volunteers (at our monthly meetings.) It means you’re never doing it on your own, and it can be remarkably rewarding for everyone. Certainly, the training I’ve received has also been a huge help in my own life. “

Jane and Caroline agreed that you receive a huge amount from this kind of work. It’s not why you do it but it is an important part.