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Finding Purpose, Community and Connection

When Jan found herself with a little more time in her week, she knew one thing for certain: she wanted to use it well. She likes to be busy, to feel useful, and to know that what she’s doing matters. Volunteering turned out to be the perfect fit and over the years, it has become a central and deeply meaningful part of her life.

Jan’s volunteering journey began in Surrey, where she worked as a volunteer befriender, supporting an older lady whose family lived far away. She offered companionship, conversation and continuity at a time when it was truly needed. The bond they formed was very special and Jan loved listening to the lady’s stories, especially those from the war years. Her husband had worked alongside Barnes Wallis developing the bouncing bomb, and she had a lifetime of fascinating memories to share.

One of Jan’s favourite moments was helping her get back into her garden. She loved flowers and wildlife but couldn’t manage alone, and so that support enabled her to reconnect with a place that brought her real joy. She lived to the age of 101, and Jan still treasures the time they spent together.

Since then, Jan’s volunteering has continued to grow and evolve. For the past year and a half, she has volunteered every Wednesday at Surplus to Supper in Sunbury, helping to ensure surplus food, that would otherwise have gone to landfill, doesn’t go to waste but instead reaches people and families who need it most. Volunteering on the same day each week has meant she has built strong friendships with fellow volunteers who are always on the same shift together. She feels very much part of the team!

On Thursday mornings, she volunteers in the kitchen at the Salvation Army in Ashford, providing refreshments to parents and children who attend the toddler group. She also helps at Christmas, supporting those who are hungry or feeling lonely at a difficult time of year. Having grown up in Ashford, this role holds particular meaning for her. The Salvation Army sits at the heart of the community, and through volunteering there for over ten years, Jan has built lasting connections and a real sense of belonging.

She also spent three years volunteering with CAMEO in Shepperton, supporting people living with dementia or other memory difficulties. This role helped individuals find community and stimulation, while also giving carers some much-needed time for themselves, it’s another way Jan has quietly but powerfully made a difference.

Being part of a team, feeling welcomed, and knowing she’s helping her local community all give Jan a huge sense of fulfilment. Volunteering fits naturally into her life alongside part-time paid work, and she values how flexible it can be. If work commitments change occasionally, that’s understood yet the regular volunteering days still provide structure, purpose and something to look forward to each week.

For anyone thinking about volunteering, Jan’s advice is refreshingly straightforward: try it. You don’t have to commit forever. Give it a few months, see how it feels. Charities will be grateful for your time, and if one role doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of others. Volunteering is social, rewarding, and deeply rooted in community, and the impact you make can be far bigger than you realise in changing lives for the better, including your own, along the way.

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