We have a group of amazing volunteers who support our work by caring for our green spaces, showcasing the unique history at The Guild Chapel, helping out at our Repair Cafe in partnership with Net Zero Stratford and providing company and activities at our weekly Warm Welcome at our Community Hub. Here, we hear from three of them about their experiences and why they enjoy volunteering with us!
Dianne Owen – Conservation
My main role is as an environmental volunteer and I’ve been doing this for two years. For the past year I have also been volunteering when I can as a receptionist for the Repair Cafe. I decided to volunteer for various reasons. I’m now retired and so have time available. My work was mainly office based but I’m interested in conservation and decided I’d prefer a role that got me out and about, so being an environmental volunteer fitted perfectly. I wanted to do something that I felt would give me a purpose and give something to the wider community. One of the reasons I moved to Stratford more than 30 years ago was the easy access to its green spaces, and it’s good to feel I’m doing something that maintains and improves these for future generations. We appreciate even more nowadays how beneficial these green spaces are for our mental health.
A typical volunteering session will be led by a member of STT and/or the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Our work is dictated by seasons and at various times of the year we could be, for instance, planting trees, or monitoring those recently planted, or clearing areas of brambles or other invasive plants. We’ve been involved in work to create a new reserve, which has been very exciting!
Choosing the best bit about being a volunteer is a difficult one! I enjoy the purpose it gives me to get out even when the weather means that I’d otherwise probably not! It’s very satisfactory to look back at the end of a session and see the difference our work has made, perhaps by planting more trees or clearing areas of invasive species. And of course, it’s great to meet like-minded people.
I’d encourage anyone to join as an environmental volunteer. You learn things, you help the environment, you meet interesting people - and it’s fun!
Janet Hall - Guild Chapel
In November 2015 I spotted a short paragraph in the Leamington Spa Courier saying there would be a talk in the chapel about plans to conserve the wall paintings. I was already interested in medieval wall paintings and went along. It was a wonderful talk and I filled in a form saying I would be interested in being involved in some way. In May 2016 I received an email inviting me to come along to the first meeting of the newly formed volunteer group.
I meet with individuals and small groups of visitors, sense how much or little they want to hear about the chapel, and answer their questions. I am usually on duty with another volunteer and we have a chat, and usually another volunteer takes over and I have a friendly chat with them too.
For me, the best bit about being a volunteer is the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the chapel, its wall paintings and its history, and share this with visitors who are often surprised to find that there are guides on duty who have this knowledge. We have contact with medieval specialists and sometimes we meet them and can learn from them.
We are a friendly team who will help you learn about the paintings and the chapel. The visitors are really appreciative, and you know that they get a lot more out of the chapel when a guide is on duty. So you feel that your time is well spent. Being a volunteer in the GC is good because one has a fair amount of autonomy. You can choose when to sign up and how you go about engaging with visitors. Once you have become familiar with the paintings and the chapel, there are many ways you will be able to take your interest forward e.g. through research, giving talks to specific groups, taking part in drama productions, creating artwork, and much more - if you want to.
Chris Howell – Repair Cafe
I have been a volunteer with the Repair Cafe since it began over two years ago. I am part of the sewing and textiles team, so spend my time repairing clothes, darning jumpers, mending bags etc. And I bake the occasional cake.
I really hate waste. The textile and fashion industry in particular are responsible for a massive amount of waste. So I liked the idea of repairing clothes to give them a new lease of life. And I like being able to contribute and give back to society in some way.
It’s often very busy. There are usually three of us on the sewing team. It’s very rare that we find ourselves thinking what shall we do now. A typical session will involve repairing holes in jeans, sewing up some ripped seams, repairing some straps. Sometimes it’s reattaching a limb to a beloved teddy. We often spend some time discussing with the owner what repair they would like and whether it’s possible for us to do it in the time, or with the equipment that we have available. Repairing rucksacks or broken zips can be very challenging. We also spend a fair amount of time discussing with passing visitors what we do, and giving advice on what they could do at home.
I love the buzz and atmosphere at the Repair Cafe. I have made friends with other volunteers. It feels good to be part of such a needed team and knowing we are all contributing to reducing waste. It also feels especially good when someone returns and says what a good job we have done!
If you're considering volunteering with Stratford Town Trust, go for it. You will probably make friends, and you will enjoy being part of a team working on a shared objective, whatever role you choose.
Philip Crisp – Repair Café
I volunteer for the monthly Repair Cafe and have been involved since it started in Stratford. I focus on repairing bikes though on the rare occasions when we are quiet I help with General Repairs I’ve always been keen on repairing things, so have developed a range of skills over the years, particularly to do with bicycles as I’ve been a keen cyclist from a very young age.
The philosophy of The Repair Cafe also appealed and the commitment of just one day a month fits in well with my other activities. It’s often busy, always interesting and a lot of fun. Whenever possible I help with setting up for the day as well as clearing up at the end. Before the doors open there may be time for a catch up with colleagues and then it’s on to repairing. We work with the visitor to understand what needs doing and try to involve them with fixing the problem wherever possible.
The best bit about being a volunteer? Seeing someone go away from the Repair Cafe with a safe, rideable bike when they have come in expecting to be told that it should go to the tip because it’s beyond repair!
If you're considering volunteering with Stratford Town Trust, do give it a go. a lot of roles are needed to make a Repair Cafe work - from Reception to Repairers to the team who make a lot of teas and coffees. There’s something for everyone and you will be made very welcome.
Jon Repair Cafe
I volunteer at the Repair Cafe, where I do the tool sharpening. I've been volunteering there since the Town Trust Repair Cafes started back in the summer of 2022.
I've been involved with Repair Cafe type events before, so when I heard that the Town Trust and NetZero were planning on running one in Stratford I got in touch with Fran immediately to volunteer.
I help with the setup and tear down of the Repair Cafe, as well as doing the sharpening. This means I'm usually one of the first folk at the Methodist church hall to help move all the tables and chairs around and get our equipment set up. Then have a chat with other volunteers before its "heads down" for four hours of sharpening and explaining what I'm doing to visitors. Then when we've finished I help put the equipment away and put the hall back as we found it.
The best bit about being a volunteer? Having fun! The Repair Cafes are my favourite community event each month and it's great to chat to other volunteers, people bringing in items to have fixed and people just wanting to see what we do. Also there's tea and cake, so you can't really go wrong. ;-)
You get out of a community what you put into it, and volunteering with the Trust is a great way to help the town's communities, meet new people and have fun (and eat cake!).