Celebrating our volunteers during Volunteers Week 2022

It’s Volunteers Week and we’re putting the spotlight on our brilliant volunteers to celebrate your work and thank you for making a difference in your communities. We’re also spreading the word about how you can get involved and volunteer if you want to!

Naomi Martin-Smith, our Learning and Development Co-ordinator says: “We’re very fortunate to have a strong network of volunteers who help us deliver The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) affordable food service five days a week, support our community centres to offer social activities for the community, and break down language barriers for second language speakers whom FCHO are working with. We couldn’t do it without you – thank you for all your hard work and dedication.”

Volunteering is an important part of our work to support our communities. Not only is it a good way to give back to those in need and meet new people, it is also an excellent personal development opportunity that can help you into training and work, or support you to move your career forward if you’re already employed.

If you would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Read more about our Volunteers Service and how you can get involved.

We caught up with our volunteers Carol, Gavin and Sophie to see what they have to say. Read their stories …

Carol's story

“Before I was a volunteer, I was a customer at The Bread and Butter Thing in Holts. Then I was encouraged to get involved in helping to deliver the affordable food service and now I am part of the team at Holts.

“Every week I come along to help unload food from the van, pack the bags with shopping and get the service set up ready for customers to come into.

“I also volunteer at the Alt Café which has recently opened. I help to host the coffee morning there – making tea and toast for the community and if they need a chit chat or any advice, we can point them in the right direction.

“I love my roles. I’ve made some very good friends and I like meeting new people and being involved in something that makes a difference. It’s boosted my confidence and I’d like to carry on with it for as long as I can.

“To anyone considering volunteering, I’d say do it – definitely!”

Gavin's story

“I started out as one of the volunteers helping with the service at which service and now I’m the lead volunteer managing the service four days a week in at Barker St, Royton, Sholver and Holts.

“My role has made a world of difference to me; I don’t know where I’d be without it. Before becoming part of TBBT, I felt like I had nothing left, but this helps me to keep going.

“I’ve bonded with the teams and customers at each of the services and made some good friendships. Every group is different and each week we have a laugh and a chat. It’s a nice thing to be a part of.

“It gets me meeting people, learning new skills and being involved in local communities. Off the back of this I’ve been involved with other projects too, for example painting community centres, being part of gardening projects – lots of activities to help make communities better places and it’s really rewarding.”

Sophie's story

“Volunteering is helping me to get useful experience that will help me find work in the future. I’m learning new skills and working as part of a team, and really enjoying it so far.

“I’ve been on the housing waiting list for over a year now and the volunteering hours will also help me and my son to be considered for homes advertised as Working Xtra, which is another positive for us too.”