Richard lives in Northleach and volunteers as a Leader for Cotswold Friends’ Men in Sheds project in the town.

The charity has four Men in Sheds sites up and running across the North Cotswolds, in Northleach, Campden, Bourton and Moreton, giving their members the opportunity to use and share valuable practical skills, work on community and individual projects – and have a cuppa and a chat!

Richard is semi-retired but, in addition to volunteering, works part-time as an administration manager and consultant for a cleaning company. He also spends his time performing baby-sitting duties for his grandson and apprentice mentoring.

Richard volunteers during the Northleach Shed’s opening times of 9am to 1pm on Mondays, in addition to doing project preparation at the Shed, which requires occasional visits during the week.

He also goes out to Town Hall meetings and to talk to groups such as the WI and Mothers Union about Men in Sheds (which is not just for men!) and attends local shows to advertise and sell the products that are made by the ‘shedders’.

Richard says: “I was interested in volunteering for Cotswold Friends because I wanted to get into community activities and to contribute to the community.

“I also wanted to get involved with practical projects where I could add value with my engineering experience. Initially I wanted to be a client but was soon “encouraged” to become a leader!

“What I’ve learned about being a volunteer for the charity is that everyone has their own needs, and they want different levels of involvement.

“I’ve also learned how to deal with the challenges of disabilities and mental limitations of our clients, and how to respond and adapt the Shed facilities and activities for degenerating clients’ physical and mental capabilities.

“Being a volunteer for the charity has been helpful to me because of the great community involvement and networking between groups, and many personal friendships have been formed.

“What I enjoy about it is creating practical projects and creating a place and environment that people want to come to, knowing that we are helping people in a very positive way.

“We are providing a facility where clients can gain confidence and get out of their homes and socialise.”

You can watch a film of Richard explaining more about his volunteer role with Cotswold Friends here.

Cotswold Friends sends an enormous ‘thank you’ to Richard all the volunteers who support older and vulnerable people living in their communities.

Cotswold Friends has volunteer roles available now to support people who may be isolated in the North Cotswolds and Cirencester.

For more information, contact Louise Lapworth, Marketing Manager, email [email protected].

If you think you could help, contact George Halling, Volunteer Manager, on 01608 697007 email [email protected].