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Volunteer Stories

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A Day Centre Volunteer's Story

I have lived in England for 6 years and I am originally from Russia.  I moved to Colchester recently to live with my boyfriend and started to look for a job which was proving a challenge in the credit crunch. I applied to Headway as a volunteer at the Day Centre which is very close to where I live. 

The Headway Team are great and I have met many nice people there; I like the peaceful atmosphere and I feel like part of the team and always look forward to coming to the centre.  I never get bored and there is always a lot of fun and humour.

I really like working as a volunteer, it is so rewarding to feel useful and to help people who have been less fortunate than myself.  It is a good way to meet new people and even to find new friends.

Even though I have got a part time job now and have started at college, I still try to find time and come to the Headway Centre even for a few hours each week.  Those people who attend call it ‘Headway Heaven’ and I understand why, I think it is like a little paradise for them where they can talk about everything they want to share and where they feel themselves happy and safe.  It is such a worthwhile organisation, and I am proud to be part of it!

Julia Lowe

A Day Centre Volunteer's Story

I have recently retired and for a while it was great to get up later in the mornings and have time to sit around drinking coffee and doing the crossword. But then you begin to think it would be nice to do something interesting and challenging as well.

I came to Headway because my daughter, Jane who is an occupational therapist, recommended it.  I knew about the help they gave to brain damaged people. Another reason was that I had worked with dyslexic children and knew that some of the Headway attenders had, in many ways, similar problems. It seemed that, having spent thirty or more years acquiring some skills, it was a pity not to use them.

How glad I am that I made that decision, I have gained such a lot. I have made some good friends and always look forward to my weekly visit. The atmosphere is so caring. People look out for each other and go out of their way to help other people.

We read a lot in the papers about greedy bankers and people who are only concerned about themselves. It is very depressing. If they came to Headway they might learn about the values that really matter. I hope I have been able to help one or two people with communication skills. I often feel humbled by the courage attenders show facing terrible problems. I have certainly learned a lot.

Helen Lander

A Community Support Service Volunteer's Story

I lived a good and very eventful life for 32 years and was happily married with a beautiful daughter of 23 months and life was just perfect.

In 1990 I was participating in a lifelong interest and hobby which was off road Speedway Grass Track Motorcycle Racing when I had a serious accident and suffered a head injury that left me in a coma for three weeks and in four different hospitals for 22 months.

This led to separation and divorce from the wife, and at the time I felt I’d lost everything.  When I came out of hospital I had to go to the Headway Centre in Colchester for my last piece of rehab.  They helped me so much and pulled me through the trauma. 

Whilst I was going to Headway I was asked to go to a school to talk to the children about head injuries.  After reading the facts and figures that there are over a million head injuries per year in the UK alone, and that they can happen anywhere and anyhow, in our home, at work, on our streets and roads, in sport, through illness and disease etc it really knocked me for six!  When reading that 48% happened in accidents on our roads this really opened my eyes wide and after being back driving myself, it made me see how dangerously some people drive and how many don’t know or realise the dangers!

So I approached Headway and offered my services to go around to schools speaking to the last year students - just before they are about to leave and go out into the world and get their own mode of transport - to be aware about head injuries and to be sensible on the roads and prevent them.

Since this approach I have been very involved with the Community Support Education Programme and tell my story in the hope of preventing the youth of today acquiring a brain injury.  Prevention of brain injury is vital as there is no cure.

Rick Willis

A Fundraising Volunteer's Story

I have been helping Headway as a volunteer for 12 years now, and I work in the fundraising office four mornings a week.

I have been retired for many years now, but have always had a strong work ethic which has been ingrained in me by my parents and grand-parents!  To be idle is not my idea of fun, so I fill my life with lots of activity including Headway, gardening and my love for music.  I compose music and also play Trombone in a couple of bands.

Many years ago my wife was severely disabled as a result of a brain injury.  As a carer for a number of years, I was devastated by the lack of support and services available at the time.  I am very glad to help Headway to ensure that people can access these vital services when they need them.

I have run several 1940’s dances to raise funds for Headway and enjoy helping out generally in the office doing a wide variety of tasks for the team.  It also provides me with a lot of social interaction as I am now part of the fundraising team.  I am so happy that through my interests and friends there are opportunities to raise extra income for Headway and to motivate others to help support its work.

I also enjoy the social gatherings for the volunteers and have attended a number of great barbeques where I have met many other volunteers working in different parts of the charity.

David Gilbert