Operations Manager, Dafne writes:
This week is Volunteers Week and we’re celebrating the incredible contribution over 300 volunteers make to Good Company’s mission and vision. We asked 3 of our volunteers to write about what they do and why they do it, we hope you find their words inspiring. We are so incredibly grateful for the many hours that our volunteers so generously give and for the reminder that, together, we can be a beacon of compassion, hope and justice in our communities.
Foodbank Session Leader, Fifi:
I have been working at the Foodbank for the past 3 years and recently became a Session Leader, this means that I am responsible for running the foodbank session from start to finish, ensuring the smooth operation and adherence to safeguarding and health & safety, supporting and coordinating volunteers, and providing a welcoming and supportive environment for clients to receive the help they need, which extends so much further than just food.
We see in the news a lot about children hungry with no school lunches, teenage girls dealing with the struggles of period poverty, and elders having to choose between heating and eating. Volunteering at the foodbank brings you face to face with the real people who are trying to overcome these challenges, giving you the opportunity to provide support, and help get people back on their feet. I started volunteering because I had time to spare and wanted to put it to good use to help my local community, now I find myself prioritising time for the foodbank because I’ve seen the impact we can really make.
The highlight of my time at the foodbank is really seeing how as a team of volunteers we can come together and make a difference. We deal with some super busy sessions and clients with complex situations and each week we have a blended team of newer and older volunteers all with different skill sets, backgrounds, ages, personalities- seeing how we are able to adapt, learn and support each other as we help our clients, is so incredible to see.
Pantry Volunteer, Alison:
My role is to take in deliveries from varying suppliers and stock the Pantry ready for use. I started volunteering to focus my mind on other things and to give me a focus while going through a very difficult time in my life. Also satisfaction from giving something to help others.
A memorable moment was when FareShare opened the side door and the crates had tipped, we were running after tomatoes and apples!
EERN Volunteer, Edward:
I’ve supported Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network (EERN) with a number of things since they started. This includes helping a young Syrian boy prepare for his GCSE’s, escorting a blind Ukrainian many to appointments and various practical tasks such as distributing flyers, washing up, giving lifts, escorting people to medical appointments, and helping at the Epsom Hub. I enjoy doing small but useful jobs that support the wider work of the team.
I’ve volunteered in various ways over the years, but was especially drawn to EERN because of past experiences working with refugees in Africa and later as an ambassador. I have a powerful memory of how the longing to go home stays with refugees for many years, and how disruptive displacement was and is. The Syrian refugee crisis and the strong local response also inspired me to get involved.
There’s no single dramatic highlight, but I’ve cherished seeing refugees begin to feel settled—like celebrating a young Syrian’s GCSE pass or supporting a refugee-run café that’s now a local favourite. I’ve also been inspired by EERN’s ability to unite the whole community behind its work.
