The Story Of A Volunteer and His Cakes
“When I first lost my wife in 2018, I was at a lonely place. A neighbour of mine said that there was a chap she knew who goes to a thing called Extra-Time. She had a word with him and I met him at the bus stop to come into the stadium and it went from there.”
This was just the start of Colin’s journey with the Trust. After being hooked on the indoor bowls and ‘good vibes’ Colin became a regular attendee, then, after a conversation with a member of staff, he became a Trust volunteer. Initially, the focus of his volunteering was the Trust’s reminiscence programme for those with a mild or moderate dementia diagnosis.
“You’re seeing them on their journey and seeing how happy they can be, there’s a real buzz. Of course, there is a downside when some of them get worse and that’s sad, but you’re giving them something.”
After engaging with Golden Memories as a volunteer, he quickly realised his enjoyment for it …
“It hit me then that this is good, this is a good thing you can do. Plus, it helped me because I would have just been sitting at home looking at the same four walls and feeling sorry for myself. It’s really given me an outlook. I just couldn’t get enough of it.”
True to his word, Colin couldn’t get enough of volunteering with the Trust. Just in the past year, there’s been a host of events including Herts Pride, The Taylor Trek, and Premier League Primary Stars tournaments.
“I just do whatever they ask. If they need a water boy, I’ll be the water boy!”
If you were to ask Trust staff now, it isn’t just generosity with his time and efforts Colin is known for, it’s his cakes.
“Originally, I used to make a lot of cakes for the nurses whilst my wife was in the hospital. I used to bake cakes in the morning and take them with me as I visited my wife.”
Now Colin bakes cakes for Golden Memories, Extra-Time, and even gives some to staff – something that goes down very well at Trust headquarters! It’s not just the buttercream Colin spreads – he also spreads the Trust’s word.
“I tell them (my family) because they’re Watford FC fans. My grandson is always playing football, so I tell them when I’m helping in the Dome (at the training ground). It’s an insight, and it shows them what I enjoy. It’s really lovely seeing people’s smiling faces, and the staff make you feel so welcome.”
Putting the cherry on top, Colin continues to broadcast his positive message, saying he’d ‘definitely recommend’ volunteering with the Trust, recently putting those words into practice …
“I introduced my neighbour, after knowing her for fifty-odd years, to volunteering with Golden Memories and she loves it.”