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Volunteers' Week: Helen - volunteering in Bradford

Volunteers’ Week runs from 1-7 June. To mark the week, Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is celebrating volunteers’ positive impact on the programme. Helen Howes-Holmes has been volunteering as a Swimming Instructor at GOGA Bradford for 12 months. She told us how she got involved with GOGA and why she enjoys volunteering. Here is her story in her own words.

Helen teaching swimming in BradfordI have always been a passionate swimmer and was at a meeting about disability sports in Bradford as a representative for the MS Society. At the meeting I was shocked to find there was no provision for disability swimming and I could not understand why this perfect activity for ALL was not being was not being addressed. One of the men there told me that no one had come forward that would take on the challenge of organising it and I was so shocked.

Swimming is the perfect activity for those facing challenges and no one wanted to do it! The sport is one of the loves of my life and from being a little girl. I have always dreamed of having my own club. So this to me was so strange and without hesitation I immediately offered to help make it happen.

They put me in touch with Karla Burton at GOGA Bradford and the rest is history really. Karla was amazing and working together, we found a venue and a teacher and the Swim Hub was born.

We now have up to 40 swimmers a night over two one-hour sessions one for mixed family groups and one for mixed ability adults. Karla arranged for GOGA to support my training and I am now a fully qualified swimming instructor both for disabled and non-disabled swimmers. I hold my safety award and other necessary training to work with children and adults at risk.

Friday is my favourite day of the week. I love being a part of a very wonderful group of people who achieve so much in the water and have fun whilst they do it. 

I never think of it as volunteering. It is simply something I love to do and is a pleasure to be a part of each week. I love the fact that the people who attend, love to come and have a great time whilst they are there. 

The laughter and friendships built through something of this nature is more rewarding than I could have ever dreamed of and I simply love doing it. Being a part of something that offers others the opportunity to do something that’s fun and good for them, must surely be a privilege. It’s something that I will never take for granted. GOGA has given me so much pleasure and helps others to feel good about themselves too. It is most certainly a win-win for everyone.

If you are committed and prepared to give your time freely to do something for others, then you will love the positive rewards you get from volunteering. It brings a deep sense of satisfaction.

When I clear everything away after each swim club and load my car with wet ‘woggles' and floats, arm bands and water toys, I know it has been worth it. Why? Because I drive home with an immense feeling of wellbeing and satisfaction, knowing I have helped lighten someone’s day. I know that people who have loved their swim time and the feeling that I helped make that happen is priceless.

Volunteering changes your life and your self-worth week after week. I love it!

Thank you Helen!