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Chief Executives and Managers in Swansea took a break from their offices to ‘Make A Difference’ to local charities by volunteering for a day. The charities are all members of the new Swansea Charity Partnership. Denise Hughes, Fundraising Manager for Longfields Day Centre, said:
“Often the only people who know what we really do are our own service users and the people who work and volunteer for us. This is an excellent way for business leaders to experience for themselves the benefits our services provide for the local community. “
Sue Heatherington, Chief Executive of Swansea Local Health Board, volunteered for Longfields Day Centre for adults with learning and physical disabilities.
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to step outside of my crammed days to spend time with the folk at Longfields. The highlight for me was time in the hydrotherapy pool. To be free of the constraints of wheelchairs, muscles and tendons that don’t work, and the effects of gravity give many a wonderful sense of freedom and control that life on dry land cannot give them. The time at Longfields enabled me to reinforce the context for my job as Chief Executive of Swansea Local Health Board: it’s all about people. Not just what we do for those with needs, but also what we do with them.”
Jim Sander, Chairman of Plastic Building Materials Limited, volunteered with Age Concern Swansea.
“I enjoyed the privilege of serving lunch to over 50 people at the Luncheon Club, after which I also enjoyed a superb three course meal, in pleasant surroundings and good company. Earlier in the day I learned about the wide range of services available at Age Concern that far exceeded my expectations, including Hospital Discharge Scheme. Advice is also offered to ensure people are receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. They also offer a wide range of insurance services. I was surprised to learn that Age Concern Swansea is totally independent and responsible for its own funding, so by taking out insurance with Age Concern, people not only receive excellent advice but are also contributing to the funding of its wider activities. It was a very worthwhile experience.”
Roger Pownall, Managing Director of Cogent Passenger Seating, spent his day at Swansea Community Farm.
“I arrived at the Farm with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect, but was quickly put at ease by Ray Dancer and his friendly team of staff. The weather was atrocious but we were all kitted out with proper weather gear and protective clothing, supplied by the Farm and spent the day shoveling and wheel-barrowing to build raised planting areas to enable people with disabilities to work at different heights. Later I helped paint an indoor classroom and study area.The Farm is looking for volunteers of all ages and abilities, including families and children. It is also an excellent opportunity for those seeking therapy and fitness. Promoting self sufficiency, composting, recycling and sustainability, this is truly a Community Farm, enabling everyone to learn new skills such as woodworking and joinery, agriculture, horticulture, woodland and health management. Despite the weather, it was definitely a very pleasant experience.”
Pauline Kotschy of Pauline Kotschy Recruitment volunteered with Swansea Women’s Aid.
“The shocking fact is that one in every four women are abused in some way. Then there are the effects this has on the children who witness the abuse and I learned about their counselling work with children. The refuge provides safe accommodation for the women and children. One child told us ‘The refuge workers have been very helpful to me and are so kind and gentle.’ Swansea Women’s Aid also offers emotional and practical support to the women to enable them to explore their options and make informed choices about the way forward. Currently, Cardiff has 18 rooms available, Newport has 11 but Swansea Women’s Aid refuge has only FIVE rooms. They are able to contact other refuges when women are desperate but they urgently need another house, together with the money to run it, so they can give women hope and a safe future for themselves and their children.”
Claire Davies, Small Business Manager, Barclays Bank volunteered with Local Aid, a local charity working with children with special needs.
“I was delighted to be asked to help Local Aid with their ‘Buddies Club’ as part of Make a Difference Day 2005. Buddies Club links volunteers to children who have a wide range of disabilities. It is also a great respite service for the families of disabled children. I was amazed by how much hard work the volunteers and organisers do for children with autism and Down’s Syndrome. I helped to organise a drop-in day for students interested in volunteering for the Buddies Club. This would give excellent practical experience for anyone interested in a career in childcare or working with children with disabilities. I had a great day.”
Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, spent a day away from the world of finance and mortgages to learn more about Cyrenians and their services for people who are homeless in Swansea.
“I visited the projects run by Cyrenians, including Paxton Street Hostel, which offers 13 beds in central Swansea. I saw the generous donations of bedding, towels, cutlery and kitchen ware they receive which are then given to the hostel residents when they eventually find somewhere more permanent to live. I visited the Res a Rec scheme, which collects, restores and distributes donated furniture when people eventually find a permanent home. St Matthews Church at the top of the High Street is a new project for Cyrenians and, when complete, will provide breakfast services and a base for the community outreach nurse. The emphasis will be on health support and advice for people who are not accessing mainstream services. I spoke to a number of young people at the Drop In Centre in Mansel Street where they receive advice and support. One young man came in to show us the clothes he had bought to start his new job, an achievement made as a result of the support he had received from Cyrenians. What really impressed me was the wide breadth of services offered by Cyrenians – housing, support and new opportunities. Like many people, I was not aware of the extent of the problems they deal with day to day, or the services they provide.”
Mark Selby, Marketing Manager for the Ospreys Rugby Club volunteered for Cancer Information and Support Services.
“My day with CISS was spent taking part in their Self Help group for anyone affected by cancer whether patient, relative, carer or friend. The group get together once a week to support one another through their cancer journey. We did various arts and crafts and discussed nutrition and healthy eating. I was really amazed at the work of the many volunteers who visit people in their homes and in hospital helping people to live and cope with cancer. It was a very humbling experience.”
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