When we moved to the village of Chipperfield many years ago, we were both commuters to work and dedicated ‘non-joiners’. Thus we met no local people other than our immediate neighbours and local shopkeepers. However, once we retired we decided to be of use to our community and became Chipperfield Care volunteers. We could have become phone co-ordinators (duty officers), home visitors, shoppers – all sorts of things, but we felt most at home with the task of driving people who needed occasional transport.
Several years down the line we have met a succession of interesting, amusing, independent and inspiring characters, all of who are extremely grateful for the small service we help to provide. An added bonus is that we have discovered lanes, by-ways and turnings off turnings which we never knew existed in our widely spread-out village.
As drivers, we have never felt under any obligation to accept a request. It often happens to coincide with our own appointments or friends coming to lunch and when this happens we just say so and the duty officer contacts another volunteer.
The duty officers do a vital job. Their work invites being at home, once a month, between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm. If a client phones with a request, the duty officer links them with a volunteer willing to do the task. Care only receives about 2.5 calls per week so the task is not onerous!
Recently, several volunteers have moved away from the area or simply “retired from active service”. We therefore need new volunteers and I am sure that anyone who became a Chipperfield Carer would find the experience as rewarding as we have done. The Carers and Cared-for are a nice bunch of people to get to know and if you would like to join us please ring Lesley Baker, our Organiser, on 01923 264254 to find out more. You’ll be very welcome. Elizabeth Foreman