3.12.2023
Seeing more, doing more, enjoying life more
Alexander is spending more time with others, doing more activities and going to more places - and it's having a real positive impact on his life!
Volunteer Bill makes a difference
Volunteering with mirus offers great opportunities to meet people, make new friends and become involved in the local community. We really value our volunteers, and each person who joins us takes part in a free training programme to support their development.
David and Neil are best friends who are supported by mirus, and love getting out and about and being involved in activities in their local community of Brackla. Over the past year they have been involved in the Brackla allotment project with the support of mirus volunteer, Bill.
Bill started volunteering with mirus 18 months ago after retiring from his full-time job. He was looking for an activity that would help other people, but also be lots of fun. When he met with David, who is supported by mirus, they gelled really quickly, and were soon working well together as a team to clear and prepare the allotment for planting.
Although Bill didn’t have much experience with gardening before volunteering, he has enjoyed learning along the way through research, idea sharing and a little trial and error! Soon David’s friend Neil saw the positive affect it was having on David and asked if he could join too. Now all three of them work on the allotment once a week for a couple of hours at a time.
Bill says: “Although I’m retired, I still do quite of stuff where I live, but I find that the 2-3 hours I give a week is not a huge time commitment, and the positive affect it has on David and Neil is worth it. They get to come out and have some fresh air and a bit of fun, and we all learn new skills from each other.”
“It’s a really nice project to be involved in, and all three of us benefit from it and have fun”.
In recognition of the commitment Bill has shown to volunteering with mirus at the allotment, he won the volunteering award at the mirus Stars event in May, which celebrates the achievements and participation of our staff, volunteers and the people we support.
