Celebrating our volunteers!
Monday 2 June to Sunday 8 June is National Volunteer Week. This is an annual event to recognise and celebrate the contributions of all volunteers as well as encourage others to give it a go. We are proud to highlight some of the fantastic volunteering efforts from our Hazlewoods team!
Joy Elkins, Talent Acquisition Manager
I volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust, a national charity, that provides hands-on assistance to pet owners when aspects of their day-to-day care poses as problem; as well as the provision of lifelong care for pets who outlive their owners.
My role involves walking dogs for owners who are unwell or too elderly to safely get out for a walk. I’m currently walking a hearing assistance dog, Zest, whilst her owner recovers from an operation.
I love supporting this charity as I get to meet and walk lots of lovely dogs and by doing this, it means they can stay with their owners. To find out more about the charity, please click here.
Frances Bolton, Senior Associate
I have been volunteering on Saturdays at the Cotswold Wildlife Park since the pandemic. I help in their museum, ran by the park’s education team. The museum displays a range of things such as animal skeletons, eggs and feathers from the animals at the park and my role is to educate the visitors about them.
I also help in other areas of the park when I am needed – during the summer, when the park is busier, I help to monitor the pygmy goat paddock as visitors walk through to pet them.
The images show one of the park’s peacocks coming to visit the museum, a pygmy goat in the sunshine and Sheldon, the giant tortoise, who is now in his 60s.
Suzanne Headington, Partner 
In addition to my annual outing as an Elf for James Hopkins Trust and donating blood regularly (up to 48 pints so far), I have recently started baking for the Heart Heroes. This charity provides subsidised social events for children and their families living with heart conditions. They are always needing volunteers to help with events and of course, refreshments!
I love baking and this gives me the perfect opportunity to spend some time doing it. It is great to know that I am also helping provide some much-needed respite and fun for the families of Heart Heroes. Everything is better when cake is involved! I found this opportunity via Go Volunteer Glos, so I can recommend it!
Amanda Smith, Associate Manager
I have been volunteering for a long time in different capacities such as, giving blood, treasurer of the local PTA, and the local scout group (even as a Beaver leader), but my longest association has been with Ledbury Rugby Club in which I have had several roles. It has been a pleasure watching the junior squad members, who I think of as “my boys”, grow up and go through the ranks of juniors – several going on to play senior rugby at Ledbury. The Club is at the heart of the local community hosting events for Age Concern such as “Walk and Talk”. They also participate in fundraising for other charities. All of the volunteering I have been involved in has been very rewarding, and I think that all should try it!
To find about more about the volunteering opportunities in Gloucestershire, please click here.