Challenge Yourself: ‘Give it a go!’ Volunteer who has clocked up 5,000 hours in 17 years urges others

Former Pride in Dacorum finalist calls on others to give volunteering a go.

Barbara Reynolds Sale who was runner up in the ‘service with a smile’ category of the 2013 awards is the longest serving volunteer at Volunteer Centre Dacorum.

Barbara, of Great Heart, Hemel Hempstead, has clocked up around 5,000 hours over 17 years with the charity.

“I didn’t even know the Volunteer Centre existed until someone suggested that volunteering could help my recovery after a serious illness,” Barbara said.

“It’s all down to the then manager, Heather Allen who showed faith in me.

“That really boosted my spirits and it wasn’t long before I was helping out and feeling useful again.”

Barbara is a key member of the team and is the friendly face that greets visitors to the centre on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

She is also a real wordsmith and never fails to make the voluntary role descriptions she writes interesting and appealing. Barbara also helps out at Shopmobility in the Marlowes Centre Car Park.

Richard Pitts, chief executive at VCD, said: “Not only does Barbara bring her excellent skills to her volunteering but her enthusiasm and sense of fun are infectious and really help to bring the team together.”

Barbara has loved volunteering and admits it has kept her going over the years and given her a purpose.

“I enjoy what I do and I really like meeting people,” she said.

“If I had a message for anyone thinking about volunteering it would be to give it a go. Not everyone has to stay for 17 years!”

Four other centre volunteers spoke of their experience at the recent AGM held at the Civic Centre.

Shirley Jones and Dee Dolling have both clocked up five years and Michel Young and Derek Peverill have been helping out for around 18 months.

Please take a look at our website to find out how they help us and what volunteering means to them.