Volunteering for FitzRoy a fulfilling experience

After spending 35 years as a journalist, working long and unsocial hours, Mark decided it was time to retire and one of his top priorities was to find some time for volunteering. After seeing an advert at the local volunteer centre Mark decided to pay a visit to The Maltings in Norfolk, a FitzRoy Day Service supporting people with learning disabilities. What struck me was the warmth of the welcome I received at the door.

Initially, Mark was keen to use his skills to help support the literacy sessions but he now volunteers for a range of sessions, finding he is learning new skills every week.

Since my first visit in February I’ve joined communication and life-skills sessions, and the office skills group. I have been out on shopping expeditions as well as supporting the one-to-one reading group sessions. Volunteering with FitzRoy is very much a two-way experience for me, I am learning something new on every visit, thanks not only to the staff team but to everyone who uses The Maltings.

Mark is keen to communicate fully with the people FitzRoy supports and has found a novel way of improving his skills.

I have been working on my signing and so far have picked up a little BSL and Makaton. Most evenings, even if it’s only for 10 minutes, I try to make an appointment with Mr Tumble on the CBeebies website to learn just a little more signing! Volunteering has been an immensely fulfilling experience for me, in return I hope I am making some kind of worthwhile contribution, however small, to the life of the people who visit FitzRoy Maltings.

Mark is a great guy “ he makes me giggle. Robbie
Mark helps me with my reading, he has been very kind. Louise