Supported volunteering helped Sandra give back

Sandra Larkin lives in FitzRoy Supported Living in Selby, and has had to deal with a lot of changes in her life within the last few years. Linda Lindop, FitzRoy Volunteer Coordinator, explains how a supported volunteering opportunity arose from Sandra’s difficult time.

Sandra’s husband sadly died of cancer at St Christopher’s hospice two years ago. Sandra and her husband had made many friends and appreciated all the help they had been given at the hospice, so Sandra wanted to find a way to give back.

After many meetings with Sandra, me, and different associates from St. Christopher’s, it was decided that the best way for Sandra to help the hospice was as a fundraising volunteer. Sandra has a very caring nature and great enthusiasm for helping people. She also knows many workers and people at St. Christopher’s as she attends pottery, sewing and art classes there.

Sandra has since been out and about posting leaflets through letterboxes, working at the Christmas fair, and working on a charity stall selling books to raise money for St Christopher’s.

St. Christopher’s has been very supportive to Sandra in many ways. They have given her lots of advice, support, and she has made friends. Having the volunteer job gave Sandra a purpose where she felt useful, valued, busy, creative, and able to talk to other staff and volunteers about her husband as they knew him too.

Would you like to start transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities? We have plenty of volunteering opportunities waiting for you! Click here to to browse our opportunities.