Mike is a volunteer in Downham who has also done volunteer shifts at the Waldron and St. John’s.
I really wanted to do something positive during the pandemic, something I could feel proud of or at least pleased about. I like to keep busy and the thought of sitting around doing nothing during our various lockdowns was too much for me.
It is great to feel that I helped, even in a very small way, to get us through the pandemic. The chance to get out and meet many new and interesting people was an added bonus.
What I think about most when I think about my involvement was the camaderie and support from everyone involved in the program. I really felt that we were all in it together, striving to get things done. The sinking feeling you get as Shift Leader, when something goes wrong, queues build quickly, and you are not quite sure what to do about it.
What’s surprised me most is how warm, friendly, and grateful the vast majority of people are, and how quickly they usually forgive you when they find out that you are a volunteer and are only trying to help.
I think I’ll always remember my team-mates, their trials and tribulations, and the trust they placed in me to sort things out. Plus images of flow tests, a constantly moving staffroom, wiping seats, the blackboard, sweets and treats, secretly drinking coffee, forms, fear, joy, and occasional confusion.