I’ve been volunteering with Scannappeal for about three years now, maybe a bit more. It’s hard to keep track exactly, but that feels about right. Before that, I was a volunteer with the Samaritans. I started there around 2021 and stayed for quite a while. Until then, I’d never done any formal volunteering — Samaritans was my first step, and then Scannappeal came after.
It all began when I stopped working. My husband spotted a small advert in the paper saying Samaritans were looking for volunteers. He showed it to me, and I thought, “Why not?” That was really the start of it all.
At the Samaritans, my role was listening. We’d take calls, be there for people, sometimes do face-to-face sessions. You never knew what to expect. Some people were very difficult, some were fine, and some became regulars — they’d come in time after time. The idea was always to be there, without judgement, to let them talk. It wasn’t always easy. I remember once I asked someone outright, “Have you ever contemplated suicide?” That’s not an easy question to ask. Sometimes the answer was yes, sometimes no. Even when they said no, you’d find yourself wondering what they really meant. It was a challenge, but that’s what the Samaritans is about — stepping into those tough conversations and offering space.
We also used to do a lot of work with stamps — sorting them, collecting them, making sure the good ones were saved properly. It sounds a bit mundane, and sometimes it was, but it mattered. If a stamp was mint — meaning it still had the glue on the back, never used — we’d set it aside. If we weren’t sure, we’d just put it in with the rest. They’d all be sent off and used to raise money.
Being with the Samaritans was probably the most rewarding part of my volunteering journey. You knew you were doing something important. It was challenging, yes, but it gave me a sense of purpose.
When I left there, I came to Scannappeal. The work is different, much lighter in comparison, but still meaningful. I work alongside Barbara, who I’ve known for a long time, and David has joined us now too. We sit together, we talk, we laugh, and we get the job done. Sometimes someone will bring in tea or coffee, and that just adds to the atmosphere. It’s good company. That’s as important as the work itself.
What motivates me to keep coming back is simple: I like volunteering. It makes me feel good. There’s a real sense of companionship, and it gives structure to my week. It isn’t just about giving to others, though that’s part of it — it’s about what you get back yourself. That feeling of connection, of belonging, of being part of something.
My two daughters take an interest too. They’ll ask me, “What are you doing this week, Mum?” and I tell them I’m down at Scannappeal. They don’t do any volunteering themselves — they’ve both got busy lives — but they’re supportive and curious about what I’m up to.
There haven’t really been any challenges with Scannappeal. The challenges for me came more from my time with the Samaritans, because of the nature of the conversations you’d have there. But you get through them. You learn, and you keep going.
I’m nearly 82 now, and I hope to keep volunteering for as long as I can. It keeps me active, keeps me connected, and gives me something to look forward to.
If someone came to me and said they were thinking about volunteering, I wouldn’t hesitate: I’d tell them absolutely do it. If you’re not working anymore, do it. It’s good for others, yes — but it’s good for you too.
