Alison lives in Moreton-in-Marsh and contributes so much to Cotswold Friends by taking part in various activities, from occasional community transport work, to distributing newsletters and staffing the seasonal car park at Cotswold School as part of the charity’s fundraising work.

Alison was part of a group of volunteers and staff that sold tea and cakes to visitors to the National Trust’s Chastleton House site recently and raised a whopping £560 for the charity!

Alison says: “In addition to volunteering for Cotswold Friends, I work part-time at Batsford Garden Centre and Trinity College, Oxford.

“I volunteer about once a month, initially getting involved with the charity because I wanted to do something useful and help elderly and vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

“Being a volunteer has helped me to get to know the local area better, and I have learned to work co-operatively with others.

“It’s been helpful to me because it has given me work experience in the voluntary sector and has provided training opportunities.

“Volunteering for Cotswold Friends has also introduced me to people I would not otherwise have met.

“I enjoy being a volunteer because it gives me a sense of satisfaction, and of doing something worthwhile for the community.

“It also challenges me to do things I would not otherwise have done.”

Cotswold Friends sends a big ‘thank you’ to Alison and all the volunteers who make a difference to their charity with their time and dedication.

Cotswold Friends has volunteer roles, including Community Transport driver 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].