Volunteer Case Study: Sally Lamb
Regional Centre: FareShare Greater Manchester
Award: Leadership in Volunteering
How did you feel about winning the Leadership in Volunteering Award?
I was very humbled by it because there are a lot of volunteers all doing great things. That was my first reaction. And then it was absolute delight that I was nominated for it, it’s a great recognition. I’ve got to say that the whole team at FareShare Greater Manchester are very good at supporting their volunteers. We get a lot of praise, and they look after us really well, but to have the award, it’s like the icing on the cake. I am also really pleased for the team and the FareShare Plus team because they’ve won as well. It’s a bit of a double whammy.
You won the award for Leadership in Volunteering. Can you share more about the training and support you offer to other volunteers. We understand you are the go-to person for things.
Some people might say bossy, but I’ll go down the leadership route. As a retired headteacher I knew how valuable it was to have the right team around you. I now get an opportunity to be one of those people for Karina, Ruby, Liz, and Hannah to support them.
I just try to spread some of that support to any new volunteers, giving them training, letting them know the importance of the job, what our values are and why we do it.
I love cooking and being around food, so enjoy sharing recipes with the Community Food Members (CFM’s) when they come in about what they can do with the food. I also share ingredient ideas with some of the volunteers so they can help put meals together.
How long have you been volunteering at FareShare and why did you decide to start?
When I retired as a headteacher three years ago, I always knew I wanted to do volunteer work, but it had to be something that was close to my passion, close to my values and was all about giving back. At my previous school we had used food from FareShare to run a food bank to support families at a time when many didn’t exist.
The values and purpose of FareShare when they say they are a community about changing lives, closely matched the mission statement at the school which was about changing lives in collaboration. We were an academy and located in quite a deprived area, so I saw first-hand what food poverty and insecurity does, the impact it has on children and whole families. For me it was a bit of a no brainer that I was going to volunteer at FareShare and the minute I met the team, I just knew I was in the right place.
I started in October 2020, so three years now. It was right during lockdown and when everything was still happening. On the news you hear about families struggling, but to be right there and see it first hand, it’s not just statistics. The charities that come in I think are brilliant. They have my respect. They worked during the whole lockdown and are still working now, on the frontline. Donations are dwindling, funding is hard to get, but they keep going. That was amazing for me to see. It’s scary how we thought lockdown was going to create the problems, but now we are seeing it just as much with the cost of living crisis. When I hear there are people having to decide between eating or heating, that’s not just a slogan you hear on the television, these are real situations happening to real people. A lot are working, they have a job, but they are still unable to manage. I’m just glad a lot of the food companies are on board with redistributing their food. If FareShare didn’t get the food in, how can they pass it on to people who really need it?
What does your role involve?
I do two days, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, working in FareShare Plus which is slightly different from the main FareShare warehouse where the CFMs have already provided the team with a list and it’s then picked and loaded up. At FareShare Plus, we deal with food on top of that. We go round with the charities and see what they need. We also need to make sure everything is recorded correctly on the weights based on what they are having. This is then passed onto the office where they will work out how much the customer owes. If they need help with packing and loading, we will always offer that to them.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with FareShare?
It’s really improved my physical strength and health. I’m helping others but it’s also been great for my mental wellbeing. It’s a routine and I know I’m doing something useful. When you stop work, that’s one of the hardest things, especially in education because you always felt like you were doing something valuable. This for me is doing something valuable. It’s also the teamwork I love. I missed working with a great team around me and it’s a great team at FareShare Manchester.
I also love fancy dress and will celebrate the opening of a door. Children in Need will be coming up, so I will be dressing as Pudsey Bear. I bring in treats to share with the customers when they come in. It brightens their day and I love it. What could be better, I’ve found somewhere where I can do something valuable, dress up in fancy dress at any opportunity and the team won’t bat an eyelid.
Have you learnt any skills since volunteering with FareShare?
A lot about food safety and conditions. Working in a warehouse environment and all the things you need to do and be aware of was a big change for me. I always say I was swapping high biz for high viz. The team are good here as they offer you lots of training. I’ve been offered pallet and computer training, but I’ll be honest, I’m just like no thank you. I really love what I do, going around with the customers.
What is one thing people may not know about volunteering at FareShare?
People might be surprised about how long FareShare has been running, how big it is and the number of regional centres it has across the country. I didn’t realise it was regional when I first started.
How has volunteering made a difference in your life?
It has not only given me physical strength and a routine, but a purpose. When I retired during lockdown, it was really important that I found something I wanted to do and that would be fulfilling for me.
It has made me realise how lucky I am that I haven’t had to worry about opening a cupboard and there not being food. We get days at FareShare where we are working outside and it can be cold, rainy, dark and wet, and I just think I’m going home now and I can have a bath, a hot drink, a meal, warm clothes and a bed. This is one day for me, but it isn’t the same for a lot of people.
What has been your most memorable experience so far?
There’s been quite a lot. On a day-to-day basis, I would say meeting some of the volunteers that come in and learning more about them. We’ve recently had a Syrian refugee come to us and while waiting to hear back about his stay in the country, he volunteered with FareShare. He recently told me he has been accepted and he can stay here. Those moments are like wow. Him being able to come in and volunteer kept him going and kept his mental health positive.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about joining FareShare as a volunteer?
Definitely do it. If you want to do something that feels beneficial and is valued, come and do this. Make sure you get the most out of it. Don’t just turn up, do it and go home, really get the best out of it. It’s also not just about the food, it’s about preventing food waste and sustainability. It will also improve your physical wellbeing, you won’t need to go to the gym. It will make you appreciate things in life, plus we are treated so well here, you know that you are valued.
