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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

​I get so much more back from volunteering at Erskine than I give

This feature is over 8 years old
 

June Cameron has volunteered at Erskine Glasgow Home for three years - she recently was named Charity Champion at the Scottish Power Foundation Awards

I volunteer at Erskine Glasgow which cares for ex-service veterans and their spouses. It’s a small care home with 46 residents.

I try to go in one day a week. I go in early in the morning and take residents to and from the dining area, I assist in handing out the meals and then clean up the tables afterwards and tidy up. I worked in the recreation team in the past helping with concerts in the afternoons, carpet bowls, quizzes, and outings but I don’t do as much of that now. I really just turn my hand to whatever is needed.

I’ve also helped out doing some fundraising. When I was in Australia a few years ago I walked over the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and got people to sponsor me including a lovely couple on the bridge who gave me AU$20 after I told them why I was doing it.

I will continue to volunteer as I love what I do and feel I get so much more back from the residents than I give

When I fundraise I don’t think I do anything special but it is the people who time and again sponsor me or take part. What I do is meaningless without people giving me their time and money. I do appreciate them.

I was honoured recently to be named Charity Champion at the Scottish Power Foundation Awards.

I feel humbled to receive such a prestigious award. I am delighted as the money (Erskine Glasgow was awarded £7,500 as part of June’s prize) will be put to good use in our new recreation area.

The reason I volunteer at Erskine Glasgow is because my father was a resident there. Sadly he wasn’t in the home very long but he was so well cared for and I just thought after he died that maybe I could offer some help at the home. He died three years ago on Remembrance Day.

I had been planning on helping out before my father passed away but it was really after it that I started. It wasn’t long after my father died. Without a doubt it helped me at the time. I knew a lot of the residents, and the staff were wonderful. For me they have become like a big extended family over the years. It definitely helped me. It may not be for everyone going back so soon after but it certainly was good for me.

I’m retired now. When I’m not at the home I spend time with my two grandsons, lots of friends and in the garden. I like to keep myself busy.

I plan to keep volunteering for a long time. I live locally and I can walk there. I miss it when I’m not in and I miss the residents and the staff.

I find it impossible to pick one particular memory from my time volunteering. To me they are all special because I have lots of memories of all the residents past and present and that’s why I volunteer.

For me volunteering at Erskine Glasgow has been great it’s opened up a whole new world for me. I’ve met lots of new people and I’ve learned a lot. I will continue to volunteer as I love what I do and feel I get so much more back from the residents than I give.