How volunteers benefit

Gillian van der Merwe is Volunteer Coordinator at the Octavia Foundation, a registered social landlord with properties in Kensington and Chelsea. Royal Borough talked to her about the work she sees happening in the area.

What does the Octavia Foundation do in the borough?

Our aim is to support people living in the areas where Octavia Housing, a registered social landlord, has properties, as well as working with the local community. The foundation provides training for jobseekers, holds financial advice sessions, organises community events and runs youth projects and a befriending scheme for referred residents. We also manage 23 charity shops across London.

What do your volunteers do?

We have around 50 people who volunteer as assistants in our charity shops and about 30 who work on the befriending scheme. We also have volunteers who work in our head office near Ladbroke Grove, at our day care centres and in our gardening scheme. But it’s not just volunteers helping us; I know that people find volunteering really positive in different ways.

How do you see your volunteers benefiting from their work?

It may seem obvious but they do get a great feeling from helping someone else. Volunteers on our befriending scheme commit to spending time with an isolated resident for at least an hour a week, perhaps visiting somewhere, going for a walk or just having a chat. They often visit people who have been referred to us because they are lonely or isolated and I’ve had many conversations with volunteers who describe just how satisfying it is to know what a difference they make.

But there are practical benefits too?

Our volunteers definitely benefit. Our charity shops on King’s Road and Fulham Road are always busy and volunteers deal with customers, make sales, handle cash and generally organise the shop. We have people in our charity shops who have been out of work for some time; volunteering there for a few hours a week prepared them to move on to other jobs. We also have volunteers who are now retired and find it’s a chance to keep active and social. And of course the shops raise important funds for the foundation.

Are you looking for more volunteers?

Yes, there is always need for people in the shops and in the befriending scheme but there are plenty of ways that people can get involved. Anyone who is interested in volunteering some time in their local neighbourhood – from gardening to helping to organise events – should contact me.

Find out more

For more information about volunteering with the Octavia Foundation email gillian.van.der.merwe@octaviafoundation.org.uk or visit the Octavia Foundation website.