As National Volunteers Week gets under way, an Anchor Hanover resident in Frome has been encouraging residents and members of his local community to explore the benefits of volunteering.
Having started his career in the army, Ian Williams left the UK in the mid 80s to pursue a career as a prison officer and raise his family abroad. Following his retirement in 2016, the 73–year-old started to miss his West Country roots and decided to return to Somerset, eventually ending up at Hanover Gardens in Frome.
Whilst Ian was happy to be back in Somerset, his transition into retirement wasn’t an easy one – he felt somewhat isolated after spending some 40-odd years overseas. Then, after visiting one of his old childhood haunts, the Memorial Theatre in Frome, he started volunteering as a steward and was responsible for showing people to their seats. It proved to be a turning point.
Whilst working at the theatre he learned that the local Barnardo’s needed people to help at its charity shop, so Ian volunteered to do two days a week . Outside of this, Ian can also be seen building planters and offering gardening tips at the local Men’s Shed initiative in Frome.
Ian said, “After my retirement I started to feel lonely and isolated. Thanks to pleas from my family, I returned to the UK and I am now getting to know nephews and nieces I never knew before. Since I started volunteering and helping others, I have also made dozens of new friends.”
When he is not working at the theatre or the charity shop, Ian volunteers to help his friends and neighbours at Hanover Gardens. For the past year, Ian and some other residents have helped with the estate garden, been shopping for less-able residents, walked neighbours’ pets and is on hand to help however he can.
Terry Burton, estate manager, Hanover Gardens said, “Since moving here, Ian’s volunteering efforts have made a real difference to the lives of residents. His enthusiasm and spirit is encouraging others within the local community to help make Frome a fantastic place to live.”
