Volunteering Teeside
Alastair Brownlee
Presenter, BBC Tees Breakfast
It was terrific to get out and about as part of BBC Outreach Volunteering Week meeting so many people who give so much of their time to help others. The common theme that we uncovered on BBC Tees Breakfast was the passion that the volunteers have for the roles they so freely undertake.
My week started by catching up with Katrina Thompson who is a volunteer for the Guide Dogs Association in Hartlepool.
Katrina introduced us to Al whose life has changed completely since he was given Gypsy a Labrador who has given him the confidence to get out and about in the community, in turn Al now plays an active role at the Guide Dogs association events
Katrina volunteers to take in any guide dogs where the owner has perhaps taken ill or is on holiday and the dog cannot accompany them. It’s a huge commitment but one that Katrina takes all in her volunteer stride.
Throughout the week I had the pleasure of meeting so many new people all with great stories to tell about the passion and commitment to volunteering. The stories all made great output for the programme. On the back of each story I encouraged our audience to find out more by visiting their local volunteer centre to see what they could do get involved with.
I ended the week with a visit to James Cook University Hospital. I trained as a volunteer for the day at the WRVS shop which helps serve patients, staff and visitors at one of Europe’s largest hospitals.
BBC Tees Breakfast presenter Alastair Brownlee with the WRVS, an age positive charity.
The day was great fun and Maureen who is in charge of the WRVS on the site even taught me the skills to make a good cup of coffee and work the till !!
Overall a terrific week with BBC Outreach meeting some people who help different organisations but who all share a common bond - a love of volunteering.
*BBC Tees breakfast presenter Alastair met volunteers, and tried his own had at volunteering, as part of a week of broadcast stories about people who volunteer in the North East and Cumbria. The BBC Outreach project aimed to highlight vounteering across the region.
Listen to two of Alastair's broadcasts:
BBC Tees presenter Alistair Brownlee encourages the audience to take up volunteering.
BBC Tees presenter Alistair Brownlee encourages the audience to take up volunteering.
