I can’t remember how I initially got involved in volunteering at Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre, but it was probably talking to the lovely Anita at the Wednesday badminton sessions I attended back in 2019/2020. Anita is so enthusiastic and passionate about the Leisure Centre, and as I used the facilities, it seemed like a good thing to get involved in volunteering.
I initially signed up to be a volunteer in the Snack Bar on the dry side, and did a few sessions there, but then Covid hit and stopped everything.
When the Leisure Centre was closed for lockdown, a working group was organised to take the opportunity to carry out maintenance, and I was on painting duty! I still look at the areas that I painted when I’m at the Leisure Centre, and am proud that I played a part in improving the appearance of the place. When the Leisure Centre was getting ready to
reopen after lockdown, a deep clean was needed, and I was one of the team of volunteers who wiped down every wall, floor, surface and piece of equipment with disinfectant to allow the Leisure Centre to reopen. That was certainly a crazy time!
I still do a bit of painting and maintenance when needed, but now I mainly volunteer at the Fundraising Events (e.g. Easter, Summer and Christmas Fayre).
The Fundraising Events are great to be a part of. Firstly, it’s an opportunity to catch up with the other volunteers, everyone is so friendly and it is always good to see everyone. I usually look after one of the children’s games stalls and get to meet so many lovely people, the same families come along to the events year after year, and it’s nice to see the children growing up. An added bonus at this year’s Summer Fayre is that I got to learn a new skill – how to make candy floss!
I would recommend volunteering at SCLC to anyone who has some time to spare. As well as being enjoyable, it is so important that we keep SCLC going for the benefit of the community, and being a SCLC volunteer is a good way of helping to do this!