Woodcote Volunteers 40th Anniversary
Woodcote Volunteers celebrated 40 years of service by hosting a cheese and wine reception on Friday 3rd February 2023. In attendance were volunteers, past and present, along with some service users and representatives from the local councils and other service providers.
It was heartening to hear from so many speakers within and outside our charity, that we are thought of as being kind, highly regarded and so essential, so thank you everyone for your amazing contribution to Woodcote Volunteers.
We were graced by the presence of young gentlemen from The Oratory School who provided wonderful musical entertainment!
Read more about the 40th anniversary celebration by clicking here
Woodcote Volunteers History
Woodcote Volunteers history. The origins of Woodcote Volunteers date back to September 1981 when the idea for a volunteer driver scheme was first mooted by Dr. A Wilson to Mrs Elsie Taylor, when he asked her “why can’t we do something about the lack of transport to and from the village?” The idea took hold, and, as a result, on 1st February 1983, the office was opened, initially to provide transport to medical appointments, dentists, lunch clubs, shops, etc. to local residents who were without a car. Interestingly, the volunteers consisted of many young mothers as well as residents who had retired.
For example, the photo here shows one of our grateful clients being assisted by our volunteer driver, Chris Riches, in about 1984.
In addition, only a year later, we were also offering to collect prescriptions and pensions. As a result, there were regular shopping excursions to Savacentre in Calcot.
Woodcote Volunteers history – 1993
Forward to 1993…..The following photo shows some of our volunteers, supporters and funders at our ten-year anniversary about to enjoy a celebratory cake!
Front row of 5 – Pam Tovey *, Joy Aldridge *, Elsie Taylor *, Jackie Widdows *, Janice Allen *
Second row of 4 – Joan Adam *, Dorothy Baty *, Betty Hayter *, Beryl Riches *
Third row of 4 – Brenda Malerbi *, three hidden
Back row of 7 – Rev Cyril Rogers, John Baty *, Bernard Malerbi *, Ray Ballanger *, unknown, Chris Riches *, Ann Lidiard *
* = Woodcote Volunteer
It is worth noting here, that Jackie Widdows (pictured in the front row) was, from the start, at the heart of the volunteers. Apart from being the treasurer, she really looked after all the old people in the village and eventually was awarded an MBE for her charitable services. Joy Aldridge was also very influential in the Volunteers from the beginning. As a result, she was awarded an OBE for her charity work.
It is sad to see that loneliness was as much of an issue back in 1983 as it is now, as the newspaper article from that year demonstrates.
Unfortunately, loneliness and isolation are still very much a live issue. However, to try to combat isolation in our rural communities, we are urging people who are lonely or isolated to use our drivers to take them to social and recreational activities so they can get out and meet others.
Norma Albin
We had the good fortune to be able to interview Norma Albin, who was first a driver, then an office helper, from 1985 to 2019. She recollects being very happy at the office and became close friends with many of the other volunteers and enjoyed chatting to the various clients who regularly called. She and her co-worker “put the world to rights” during their one-and-a-half-hour session and she says that volunteering gave her a sense of purpose, of doing something useful.
The photo shows Norma on the left, with her friend and colleague from the office, Lynn Paskins, in 1996.
Winning the Community Star Award in 2010
As a result of their great work, the Woodcote Volunteers won the Community Star Award in 2010 for the “significant contribution made by Woodcote Volunteers to enrich the lives of local people”. The award was presented by the High Sherriff of Oxfordshire.
“Times they are a-changin”…………..
…….. and most “young mothers” are now working full time, so our volunteers are largely, although not exclusively, retired or semi-retired. Although we still use a paper-based system in our office, this is bound to change to a computer-based system in the future. We have set up this web site, communicate with our volunteers by email and have posts on social media.
We have had to adapt to new legal requirements, for example, DBS checks for our drivers. Policies have been put in place to fulfil the obligations that the Charity Commission places on the trustees.
…………….….but our core values and mission have not!
Still recruiting
Recruiting new drivers and office staff for the Woodcote Volunteers
Still helping with transport
Woodcote Volunteers continues to develop and build on the strong foundations laid down by the original members.
1ST FEBRUARY 2023 WILL BE OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY! SO, WE PLAN TO MAKE THAT A SPECIAL OCCASION!
ROLL CALL
|
Chair |
Treasurer |
|
Dr. A Wilson 1983 – 1994 |
J Widdows 1983 – 2006 |
|
Secretary |
|
|
E Taylor 1983 – 1988 Terri Everitt 2009 – 2010 |
J Crowther 2010 -2014 |
Woodcote Volunteers History: The Committee Members:
| Mrs J Aldridge 1983 -2011 | Mrs I Lawmon 1993 – present | Mrs V Nowell 2008 – 2019 |
| Mrs C Arnold 1983 – 1998 | Mr J Baty 1995 – 2006 | Mrs C Chant 2011 – present |
| Mrs J Derbyshire 1983 – 1984 | Mrs I Bowen 1997 – 1997 | Miss E Harrap 2014 – present |
| Rev. T Henderson 1983 – 1986 | Mrs N Albin 1998 – 2001 | Mr J Hatt 2021 – present |
| Mrs B Hives 1983 – 1987 | Mrs J Back 1998 – 2002 | Mr D Allan 2021 – present |
| Mrs A Lidiard 1983 – 1999 | Rev. N Moss 1999 – 2005 | K G Harding 2022 – present |
| Mrs M Weller 1983 – 2019 | Mrs E Thompson 2001- 2008 | |
| Mrs G Goodwin 1984 – 1988 | Mrs M Watters 2001 – present | |
| Mrs R Bowdery 1985 -1998 | Mr S Palling 2002 – 2010 | |
| Mrs B Hayter 1987 -2003 | Mr R Green 2004 – 2006 | |
| Rev C Rogers 1988 -1990 | Mr K Ashby 2005 – 2007 | |
| Mrs G Scott 1988 -1990 | Mr/Mrs Harris 2006 – 2008 | |
| Mrs E Taylor 1988 -1998 | Mr P Tyler 2006 -2011 | |
| Mrs P Hopkins 1988 -1998 | Mr M Young 2006 – 2007 | |
| Mrs D Jukes 1990 -1999 | Mrs T Everett 2008 -2011 |