Jean is a volunteer in Downham.
My reason for becoming a volunteer is possibly somewhat different and maybe a bit more selfish than many of the great volunteers that I have met. Sadly, very suddenly and unexpectedly in June 2019 my lovely husband died and my world just fell apart.
During the next 6 months or so I had many additional personal problems to deal with, and life was very difficult. So in a very bizarre way the Covid pandemic and lockdown was a huge help to me as I had to stay at home and calm down — and I also felt that I was in the same situation as everybody else. Not “that’s the woman whose husband died.”
However hard the pandemic was, for me it was nowhere near as awful as the year before. Gradually I came through the year, and by early 2021 I was feeling more ready to face the world again. When a friend told me about her experiences as a volunteer at Downham, I felt excited and eager to follow suit.
From my first session I have felt welcome and confident to support people coming in for their vaccine. Speaking to my fellow volunteers, I feel very much part of the team and really enjoy the sessions. Slowly I am growing stronger in my own bereavement journey and moving forward in my own life.
I have lived and worked in Lewisham most of my life and remember going to the old Downham baths and library as a child. I feel very proud and humble that I can now , in a very small way, give back something to the people of Lewisham, which is such a special and unique place to live.