Steve and Julia are married and both actively involved with the Harpenden Trust.
Julia: "When I retired 8 years ago, I thought I would need something to fill my time, and when I saw the newsletter with that years Christmas Appeal it mentioned needing Home Visitors. At the time I did not know much about the Trust, but I was keen to help and take on a new challenge. I am still a Home Visitor and consider that is my primary role in the Trust, bringing me into direct contact with local people needing support. Within that role I also organise the annual Family Outing for local families. When the pandemic hit I responded to the call to help set up Harpenden Cares, and spent the next 18 months helping Harpenden residents navigate a strange new reality. Then there was the Vaccine Centre - like many of the volunteers who helped out with both these initiatives I was very glad to be doing something useful whilst 'normal' life was suspended. Since then I have also joined the Reception Team at 90 Southdown Road - only once a fortnight - but again good to be in contact with people who need help and advice from the Trust. And last, but by no means least, I am heading up a team of volunteers as we prepare to open the Trust's latest project - The Well Bean Community Cafe - which is scheduled to open on 5th June at the new premises at 130 Southdown Road. I could have spent the last 8 years knitting and gardening - but I am really glad I got involved with the Trust instead!”
Steve: “Having fully retired in 2017, Julia suggested I should get involved with the Trust. I was asked if I would become a member of the Community Fund. There was a time when I said I would never volunteer and would only work if I was paid. How wrong I was!! Being a volunteer member of the Community Fund has exceeded all my expectations; the Fund adds so much value to the residents and organisations in Harpenden. I was delighted and honoured to be asked to become Chair of the Community Fund in 2020 and it has been great to work with such an excellent team who are committed to contributing as much as they can to help as many organisations as possible. It really brings it home how much value the Community Fund adds when you start with a simple paper application form and by the end of the project you see the children playing on their new equipment, or the elderly residents at Willow Court enjoying their gazebo and internal decorations. The Fund has also assisted larger projects - the Playpark in Rothamsted and the Boardwalk over the Reed Fen at Batford Springs which are now enjoyed by thousands of people. Finally I also enjoyed helping out at the Covid vaccination centre, seeing local people so grateful to the Trust for providing this essential service. Long may it all continue!”
If you would like to volunteer, no matter how much time you have to spare, please contact the Harpenden Trust on 01582 460457 or via email [email protected].
10 May 2023
