I chose to volunteer for Carers Bucks because caring has shaped my life in more ways than one. I was once a young carer myself. These days, I describe myself as an old carer. Life has a sense of humour like that.
Having been on the caring side of things for so long, I know first-hand how much unpaid carers carry. It is not just the practical tasks. It is the responsibility. The worry. The constant thinking ahead. Carers Bucks provides support that genuinely matters. It gives carers somewhere to turn, somewhere to breathe, and somewhere to feel understood.
Alongside that personal experience, I have worked with children and young people for most of my working life. My career was spent in a secondary school, surrounded by teenagers, timetables, and the constant hum of school life. When I retired recently, I knew one thing very clearly: I was not ready to stop working with young people.
So volunteering with Carers Bucks felt like a natural step. It allowed me to continue supporting young carers in our local community. I bring both professional experience and personal understanding to the role. I know what it is like to sit in a classroom carrying more than a school bag. I know how invisible young carers can feel.
If I can be someone who notices, listens, and offers steady support, then that feels worthwhile.
Volunteering, to me, is not about filling time in retirement. It is about purpose. It keeps me connected. It reminds me that experience — even the hard parts — can be used to help someone else.
To anyone considering volunteering, I would say this: there is nothing more rewarding than helping others. It is not just about what you give. It is about what you gain. Your self-esteem grows. Your mental health benefits. Your world feels a little bigger.
You do not have to change everything. Sometimes the smallest act can make the biggest difference. A conversation. A listening ear. A bit of guidance at the right moment.
Something that feels small to you can feel life-changing to someone else. And that, in my view, makes it more than worth it.
