Hemel Hempstead woman makes a difference through community transport

A woman from Hemel Hempstead has been making a difference in her community as a volunteer driver for Community Action Dacorum

Sally Smith has been supporting the Community Transport team during the coronavirus pandemic by doing grocery shopping for residents who are self-isolating and unable to get a supermarket delivery slot.

The mum-of-three, who works for Hertfordshire County Council, started volunteering for Community Action Dacorum at the end of March.

She said: "I have 3 children, two at University and one at Secondary School so we have a full house now with everyone at home.

"I applied in part because I realised that I was in a fortunate position with everyone in the house healthy, with no underlying health conditions.

"Within a few days of lockdown happening, everyone knew someone that couldn’t get out, whether it was because of their own health or someone in their household. I’d like to think that when this is all over, I can look back and know that and I did something to make a difference to others in Dacorum."

Sally has volunteered locally in the past and enjoys it because of how rewarding it is for the charity, and her.

She added: "The good thing about volunteering for the Store2Door scheme is meeting the people when I drop the shopping off to them. I enjoy having a chat with them especially the regular people that I shop for now.

"It’s really nice to have that relationship. It’s also very rewarding knowing I’m doing something that will make a difference to someone’s day, especially with those that I will be the only person I talk to during that day.

"The biggest challenges have been juggling my time working full time and finding the time to volunteer and also the stress of choosing the right food for people!

"Juggling my time between work, home and volunteering has been quite stressful at times and work can be very demanding.

"I have a very supportive manager though and it’s been nice to have the flexibility during my working day to be able to find the time to volunteer."

Sally's volunteering for the Store2Door scheme will come to an end when her work returns to normal and she goes back to the office.

She said: "But it has been a really positive experience for me as I’m sure it has been for many other volunteers.

"I’d like to think that even if someone can only give 6 months that if their circumstances change, they will think about coming back to volunteering again in the future.

"Volunteering is so rewarding, it’s really nice to do something locally knowing that you are having some positive interaction with people near you.

"My family, friends and work colleagues have all been very supportive of my volunteering.”

Sally and the other volunteers like her, have made a difference to the lives of people across Dacorum and beyond.

Deborah Fogden, Community Transport manager at Community Action Dacorum, said: "For many people who have been isolating over the past few weeks, the worry of how they will get their shopping is a big deal.

"The Store2Door service reduces anxiety in its users and their families.

"One such example, Ian explained that he lives over 100 miles from his 93 year-old mother, knowing that if he needs to he can get her shopping delivered just by picking up the phone helps him 'sleep at night'.

"It’s for people like Ian, his mother and all of the Store2Door users that we all thank Sally and her volunteer colleagues for their wonderful work during lockdown!"