‘There’s something special about being a part of a team that makes a real difference.

Fresh air, meet people, learn new skills, have a good time - volunteering at Restore Hope has proven to be all of those things. After retirement, joining the maintenance team has been a perfect way to use the skills we had in work. And the camaraderie is second to none.

Rebuilding the Bailey Bridge was amazing — it took three months, but what a job! Even doing small jobs makes a big difference too. We just love being able to help.

There’s a satisfaction in volunteering that has exceeded anything experienced in paid work. And there’s this shared feeling: we always leave feeling better than when we arrived.’