"I started volunteering at One to One in October last year; probably the best idea I had in 2023.  

I had to shield during the Covid Lockdowns of 2020/21 and became quite anxious when reintegrating back to work and getting out and about. Towards the end of 2021 I began to have side effects from the long term steroids I was on and had to be taken off them; this had a detrimental effect on my health leaving me unable to mobilise without immense pain. I had to go off sick from work, and after a prolonged period off had to leave due to ill health. As you can imagine this was not great for my mental health and combined with my physical health I became quite reclusive. I was happy to stay inside, basically only going out to visit my parents and take my grand daughter to and from school. 

An osteopath helped me get mobile again and a re jig of medications helped me manage my pain. I began to realise that I had become quite depressed and that I needed to do something about getting out of the house. 

 I saw a post on Facebook about the charity shop needing volunteers, so I ventured down and spoke to Denise, went away with an application form and the rest as they say is history. 

I started with 2.5 hours twice a week and gradually upped it to 4 hours but that was too much for me so I now do 3 hours twice a week. Initially I kept to the back of the shop, steaming, sorting through donations, and keeping the area tidied. After a few months I ventured out to front of shop and love being their, greeting customers, serving at the till point and helping with the table displays etc. 

Living with an autoimmune condition, lockdown and then losing my job definitely had a detrimental effect on my mental health. Volunteering at One to One has helped immensely and I feel like a have self worth again. 

Denise, Tina and all the other volunteers are lovely and we’re like a little family. The customers are great and I’ve met such a wide range of people since starting. 

I would highly recommend anyone who is thinking of volunteering to make that final step and go for it. As I said before, best decision I made in 2023."