Rushden charity appealing for volunteers as the need for its services grows

A charity which supports more than 2,000 clients each year is appealing for volunteers.
Barbara volunteers for ServeBarbara volunteers for Serve
Barbara volunteers for Serve

Serve has been supporting independence in East Northamptonshire and the surrounding area since the 1980s.

Its aim is to ensure that everyone who wishes to remain in their own home, regardless of their age or disability, can do so.

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The charity based in Church Street, Rushden, has a team of volunteers who work tirelessly for them but as the need for their services grows, they are hoping to recruit more.

Serve’s volunteer coordinator Jenny Standen said: “Serve has been supporting the local community for over 30 years.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of what we do and without them our charity couldn’t do all the good work we do.

“We have over 100 volunteers working with us to support well over 2,000 clients every year and the need is growing all the time.

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“Our volunteers are the face of Serve and give an excellent service to all our beneficiaries in everything from reception to our well-being centre.

“If you would like to help people remain independent in their own homes we would love to have you.”

The charity would particularly like to hear from anyone interested in being a volunteer driver or a tearoom assistant in Serve’s Memory Lane Tearooms.

Barbara from Rushden has been volunteering for Serve for more than five years after retiring.

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Her husband is a volunteer driver for Serve and Barbara’s role sees her working with the charity’s transport department, including administration as well as some reception work and fundraising when needed.

When asked what her favourte thing about volunteering with Serve is, she said: “Having lived in Rushden 28 years but worked elsewhere, I didn’t get to know the community as much as I would have liked.

“I feel like now I am getting more involved in the community and I like chatting to people.

“I walk down most of the time so it’s good exercise for me and a good sense of routine.”

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Serve is looking for drivers who can help with its medical transport service.

It involves volunteer drivers using their own vehicles to collect elderly service users from their homes and driving them to medical appointments such as the doctors, an eye test or the hospital.

Expenses are paid and without this valuable service many elderly or disabled people in East Northants wouldn’t be able to remain independent and reach their appointments.

Another way to volunteer at Serve is at the Memory Lane Tearooms.

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People can volunteer in the vintage tearoom with a 1940s theme, preparing sandwiches and a selection of loose leaf teas for customers.

Tearoom assistants take orders and use the till as needed, as well as interacting with customers.

Anyone who wants more information on volunteering for Serve can call 01933 315555 or email [email protected].

Further details are also available by searching for Serve on Facebook or going to www.serve.org.uk.