Tim initially expressed an interest in volunteering in 2019 after seeing media coverage of Coastline Homeless Service’s planned move to Chi Winder, its purpose built building in Pool.
As part of the move, the service was looking for more Engagement Volunteers to greet individuals accessing Chi Winder, engaging them in the new facilities and activities. Tim felt this role was suited to him and he started to volunteer once per week, putting people at ease over a game of pool and building trusting relationships with residents.
When the pandemic arose in 2020, Tim and other volunteers had to pause their roles to reduce numbers in the building. During this time, the need to focus on promoting and encouraging people’s mental & physical wellbeing became of great importance. Therefore, when restrictions eased and Tim was able to return on site he was happy and willing to adapt his role to become a Wellbeing Volunteer, helping colleagues with activities that were focused on the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.
Tim started by assisting colleagues with the organisation of local walks, encouraging people to get active and spend time in nature. These proved popular, and following customer feedback these sessions evolved into weekly ‘Explore Cornwall’ walks, which saw the group going on walks across the county to discover and learn about new areas.
Customers expressed how much they enjoy these sessions for both the exercise, and the conversations that they have along the way. Polly Sutcliffe, Activities and Inclusion Worker, says: “Tim has enhanced people’s wellbeing by helping them to discover beautiful places across Cornwall such as Bodmin Moor and Saint Michael’s Mount. Tim takes the time to get to know people on their terms and always provides them a listening ear and a good joke. Tim is invaluable as part of the team and his commitment to providing opportunities for adventure makes such a difference to the lives of the people who access the service.”
Samantha Wortley, Volunteer and Partner Worker, adds: “Tim is pivotal to the Explore Cornwall walks, his local knowledge of Cornwall has proven invaluable to finding new and exciting places to visit. Tim has a natural way of making all who attend feel relaxed and is always ready to lend a listening ear to peoples’ individual stories. Having many years of experience working with Homeless services, he is able to offer sound advice where he can. We have found people are far more likely to open up and chat when out walking rather than sitting across a desk. Having Tim as part of the team, enhances the staff ratio which helps enable us to have those important one to one conversations with the people we support, whilst out on the walks.”
Tim is easy to talk to, has a good knowledge of different subjects, easy to approach, a good laugh…and always up to join in with all activities.