Volunteers' Week, a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year. Norwood celebrated Volunteering Week by holding Volunteer Appreciation days to thank our volunteers for their work.
Stuart Chadbourne, Head of Volunteering said, “Norwood has over 700 volunteers and each and every hour of the time our volunteers give, makes a difference to someone in need.”
This year, one volunteer Wendy Geering and the Volunteer Week, both celebrate 25 years of volunteering. Wendy Geering is the Stables Driver at Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community in Berkshire, where she has volunteered for 25 years. During that time she has offered a wealth of ‘horsey’ knowledge. She works at the Equestrian Centre driving with adults with disabilities in the pony and trap once a week. Those who use the Equestrian Centre enjoy the therapeutic benefits of riding as well as from increased confidence and self-esteem.
Wendy lives in Berkshire and owned a horse who was based at Wellington College in Crowthorne near Ravenswood. She officially volunteers once a week, every Wednesday as the stables driver, but she owns a horse, which is kept at the stables, who she visits daily, so is always willing to help out when and where needed. Wendy’s colleagues say she is professional, kind, friendly, approachable and always empathetic.
Wendy said, “Ravenswood is a fantastic place where residents get the most fantastic opportunities and experiences. As a nurse and a horse lover, it seemed natural to volunteer at Ravenswood, it’s just down the road to where I live, and I love working with horses and people with disabilities. I really enjoy my time with people at the Equestrian Centre.”
During her 25 years as a volunteer for Ravenswood, Wendy has worked together with Vanessa Gordon, Stable Manager, and Simon Wooden, Deputy Stable Manager, who have worked at the Stables for 27 years.
Wendy revealed that her funniest moment in her role as a volunteer was four years ago, when she entered the Windsor Horse show fancy dress competition with one of the stable’s most dependable horses. The horse was frightened by the crowds and Wendy had to quickly resolve the situation, move the crowd into safety and sedate the horse, whilst dressed as the Wizard of Oz, in a big green beard, hat and coat! The horse has not been taken out of the Equestrian Centre since.
To find out more about volunteering in one of Norwood’s services contact Volunteering Services on 020 8420 6926 or email volunteers@norwood.org.uk or for volunteering at Ravenswood contact Jane Phillips on 01344 755 588 or email jane.phillips@norwood.org.uk.
