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After stepping away from work to help care for her grandson, Pauline’s days had already taken on a new rhythm. But when she lost her husband, the quiet became something heavier. The house felt too still and the hours too long. She knew she needed something to do and somewhere to go, a reason to step outside again.

One day, she went to the council offices and asked about volunteering. They mentioned an opportunity with Camberley Care to help out in the office. Pauline wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but she decided to give it a try.

That decision would shape the next 18 years of her life.

In the early days, the office was full of movement and conversation. Clients would come in, volunteer drivers would pop by, and there was always someone to talk to. Pauline loved the sense of connection and being part of something that helped people in a real and tangible way.

Over time, things changed though. The world became more digital, and the busy office atmosphere grew quieter. Much of the interaction moved to phones and screens. But for Pauline, the heart of the role stayed the same. She still spoke to clients and volunteers, still offered a listening ear, still played her part in making sure people felt supported. She comments, “It’s just nice to know I’m helping people”.

One of the most meaningful chapters of her journey came during the COVID pandemic. When the world slowed to a standstill and people were confined to their homes, Pauline and the team began making weekly phone calls to clients. From her own home, she would dial number after number, checking in, chatting, listening.

What started as simple welfare calls soon became something more.

Clients opened up. They shared stories about their lives, their families, their memories. Conversations that might once have lasted minutes stretched into something deeper and more personal. Pauline found herself getting to know people in ways she never had before.

“It was lovely,” she remembered. “We got to hear so much about them, things we’d never known.”

Through it all, volunteering has given Pauline something so important to her, a sense of purpose. It gave her a reason to get out of the house in the early days, and now, it is a structure to her week, a steady, familiar routine with a circle of people she genuinely enjoys being around. Conversations, friendships, and the feeling of being valued.

“I’ve been here so long, they won’t let me leave now!” she jokes.

For anyone considering volunteering, Pauline’s advice is simple:
“Just give it a go and see how it fits with your life, not all charities need a great deal of commitment, so if it doesn’t work out or suit you, you can always try something else. It can be really flexible, allowing you to fit it in around your other commitments.”

For Pauline, it was just right. And nearly two decades later, she’s still showing up every Friday, still helping, still connecting, still finding purpose in the simple act of being there.

If you would like to volunteer, take a look at roles available in North Surrey, or get in touch and we can help match you.