Woman’s Weekly UK – 27 August 2019

REAL LIFE

She loves

working

with others

Get involved

Therearesomanyrewarding

waystovolunteeryourtime,

evenifit’sjustforanhoura

week.TheNationalCouncil

forVoluntaryOrganisations

(ncvo.org.uk)haslots

ofusefulinformation.

Herearea fewinitiatives

thatyoucouldtry...

✿GoodGym– combining

exercisewithlocal

communitywork,

GoodGymgives

volunteersthe

chancetokeep

fitwhilelending

a hand.Formore

information,

visitgoodgym.org

✿AgeUK– providing

much-neededsupportfor

oldermembersoflocal

communities,AgeUKhas

a varietyofvolunteer

opportunitiesonoffer.

Visitageuk.org.uk

✿TheTrussleTrust–

supportinga networkof

foodbanksnationwide,

TheTrussleTrustisdedicated

tohelpingthoselivingin

poverty.Visittrussletrust.org

Harnessing the power of nature

Jane Howard, 57, a teacher
and caregiver, from
Brighton, volunteers with
The Grow Project, which
helps people by connecting
them with the healing
influence of nature.
‘Grow came along at a time
of my life when things were
particularly challenging, and
I decided to apply for one of
its courses.
I adored the fact we were
getting out and about in the
great outdoors, and loved the
focus on personal wellness.
I enjoyed my experience
so much that, eventually,
I became part of the team
as a volunteer.
We work mainly with
people experiencing
depression, anxiety, stress,
plus other mental-health
conditions – and, in
partnership with the National
Trust, we help participants
reconnect with nature through
activities like conservation,

walking,

crafts and

meditation.

Most of our time is spent at

Saddlescombe Farm, near

Brighton, learning animal

handling, gardening skills or

other farm-based pursuits.

Other weeks might be spent

helping at other local projects.

I’m also very active in

helping with The Grow

Project’s fundraising activities

• at Christmas, I made soup
  for over 100 people as part
  of our Winter Warmer
  guided walk across the
  South Downs.
  Volunteering with Grow
  has given me a sense of
  purpose and I’ve made some
  good friendships. A passion
  for nature is an absolute must
  
  
  • and if mental health
    and wellbeing is a cause
    that affects you or someone
    who’s close to you, I’d
    definitely encourage them
    to get involved.’
    ✿ For more information
    about The Grow
    Project, please visit
    growingwellbeing.org.uk
  
  
  
  

Jane’s found

a real sense

of purpose

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