Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your past experience?

I work at the Honeywell Aerospace over at Bournemouth Airport where I am involved in Aircraft Servicing for the Supply Chain Team. I live locally and have been married to Maureen for 14 years. (ed: Maureen is one of the Managers at Barnabas Day Activity Centre – one of the Diverse Abilities Plus’ Services)

What are your hobbies/interests? Is there anything unusual you like to do in your spare time?!

I’m a bit of a computer geek to be honest and I love filming – a passion I discovered a year and a half ago after being asked to film an impromptu Treasure Hunt at my local church. Now you rarely see me without my camcorder!
 
Basically I had a near-death experience in 2009 where I collapsed at work after a stress-related heart-attack and spent 2 days in a coma in hospital. Thanks to the amazing support from my wife, family, friends and church I was lucky enough to make a full recovery but as you can imagine the whole experience completely changed my perspective on life. I reassessed my home/work balance (which was in serious need of redressing!) and here I am in a much better place!

What sort of volunteering do you do/ have you done for Diverse Abilities Plus?  What tasks does that involve/skills does that use?

I have made all sorts of films of the different Services of Diverse Abilities Plus – I think in total it’s probably 11 films.  For example, I have produced a short film of the people living in the Supported Living Bungalows and I’ve filmed the ‘Project My Time’ kids on their holiday camp this summer. Possibly the most fun was filming the Barnabas’ Team production of ‘Glee’ this September!

Do you do regular volunteering or on an ad hoc basis?

It tends to be ad hoc when they need me and when I can spare some time.

What made you decide to Volunteer for DAP?

To be honest it wasn’t really a conscious decision. For me it was more about learning a new skill and creating something. The Volunteering gave me an opportunity to develop my skills and the rest just happened.

Had you had any previous experience in Volunteering? If so, where?

No this is the first time.

What have you gained/learnt from your Volunteering experience? Is it what you expected?

I had no expectation. If I’m honest I had no experience or understanding of disability and I was a bit scared of getting involved. My volunteering experience has totally removed my prejudice and I now see all the people who come to Barnabas as regular guys with the same needs, aspirations and fears as the rest of us!

What do you enjoy about volunteering for DAP?

Being able to contribute something worthwhile with the skill-set I have to work with. It also improves my sense of self-worth and helps me maintain a healthy perspective on what matters.

Would you recommend other people get involved? Why?

Definitely.  Sometimes you can’t find ways to help yourself but you can always help others – and then you inadvertently help yourself.  Besides it’s fun - once you start, you want to do more.! And if you a skill or hobby that you are passionate about and want to develop then all the better.
 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Many people are not in a position to give money but  they can give even just a bit of time which is a far more valuable commodity. Goodwill is the currency of Volunteering if you like. There really is no downside to Volunteering as far as I can see – in fact I reckon it should be mandatory – like Bootcamp!