As a self-advocacy group for people with learning disabilities we encourage our members to be active in the community and if able, to volunteer for local charities and organisations. Here are just a few member stories about how they give back by volunteering.
Sarah Clements and Michelle Sewrey
As part of an initiative to offer members volunteering opportunities Sarah and Michelle went along with staff member Michele, to The Cowshed a local charity which helps people less fortunate. The Cowshed provides donated good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essentials free to anyone in need.

Sarah and Michelle now regularly volunteer on a Monday morning and enjoy every minute! They work alongside lots of lovely people, including Bob who make cakes and biscuits and brings them in for the team. They do a variety of tasks, sorting out the games and book, sticking labels on the bags ready to go to those in need and anything else they are asked to do.

Sarah and Michelle got to know each other at CLASP but volunteering together at The Cowshed has seen that friendship grow. Both feel proud of the work they do and love volunteering for The Cowshed. The feeling is mutual, Liz, Donation Centre Supervisor, says ‘it’s great to have Sarah and Michelle as part of the team. We love having them and we’re never letting them go!’
As well as volunteering at The Cowshed Michelle also volunteers at Oxfam and Sarah at Thames Valley Hospice charity shop, Wokingham.
Ian Hydon
Ian is a very busy man; he volunteers regularly for several charities. These include SHARE Wokingham, Wokingham in Bloom and The Link Visting Scheme.
Every Wednesday will find Ian at SHARE Wokingham, at King’s Church, meeting and greeting those visiting SHARE for the first time, preparing lunch or arranging and manning food tables.

At SHARE King’s Church they provide a free lunch from the leftover food donated by supermarkets and catering companies for those in need. For some, providing lunch or free food is a lifeline. One day a lady told Ian ‘You don’t know what a difference this makes to me and my children.’ This comment made Ian feel valued and that it was worth volunteering at SHARE to be able to give something back to those that need it most.

Every Saturday will usually see Ian volunteering for Wokingham in Bloom. He is part of a group that looks after Howard Palmer Gardens. There are about 8-10 people who volunteer regularly to help maintain this central Wokingham Park and everybody does what they can do, planting, weeding, pruning etc. Sometimes he will help in maintaining the community and wildflower area at Holt Copse.
Ian is also a keen photographer, more about that is an article later, and voluntarily acts as the chief photographer for Wokingham in Bloom.
Once a month Ian does games and a Quiz for the residents at Meachen Court, an elderly care home in Wokingham. He creates a quiz that suits all abilities, so some difficult questions, and some easier ones. This is part of Ian’s role as a volunteer for The Link Visiting Scheme. He started a couple of years ago as a befriending volunteer but when the lady he used to visit moved out of Wokingham Ian was not able to continue visiting so became a Quiz master instead.
Susanna Tyrell

Alongside staff member Karen, Susanna, one of our newer members, volunteers on Monday and Tuesdays at the Wokingham British Heart Foundation charity shop.
Susanna works in the donations area steaming clothes before putting them in the shop. Susanna ‘enjoys’ volunteering at the BHF and has done so for a long time.
Martin Kimber

Martin volunteers at the Thames Hospice shop in Woodley two afternoons a week. Working in the shop on the till serving customers can be challenging, particularly when things aren’t priced, and assistance is needed. It requires confidence and good customer skills to be out front of shop on your own. Martin clearly has both or he would not be left on his own.
Martin enjoys volunteering at the shop and meeting new people. He’s very happy in this hot weather that recently the shop moved to bigger premises with air conditioning!