Continuing with our Volunteer Of The Month feature, Community Action Wirral are proud to introduce you to Les Coates who has been volunteering for us since October 2012…
Why do you volunteer?
I enjoy meeting people and learning new things from others. Hopefully, I also have some skills which could be shared and we would help each other.
What do you get out of volunteering?
Job satisfaction in learning something new, being kept busy without the stress and responsibility that paid employment can bring. An opportunity to give something back for all those who have helped me in the past. I see this as ongoing personal development.
How long have you been volunteering?
Almost 3 years – since I retired from paid employment.
What do you do as part of your volunteering role?
I mainly work on the data management side of the volunteering team. I produce monthly and annual reports and statistics around volunteering, as and when requested. I look to validate the information in our database and aim to keep the data ‘clean and tidy’. The aim and objective is to inform and facilitate the management processes of the volunteering team. I also volunteer as a “welcomer/greeter” in Arrowe Park hospital.
What do you think are the advantages of volunteering?
There are obviously health and wellbeing advantages, as I believe it an asset to keep an active mind and body. It can also be seen as a good example to others as it helps communities and those in need; so hopefully there is a personal gain as well as an organisational one. I give almost half my ‘working’ week to volunteering in one form or another and it is good to keep up to date with what is going on in our local community.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I play guitar and am part of the worship group in St Chad’s Church, Leasowe. I am also part of the music group for Wallasey Churches Together and we take part in ‘ecumenical services’ several times a year, along with an annual “Praise In The Park” event in Vale Park New Brighton. I enjoy meeting with several different groups of friends on a monthly basis and am a member of and treasurer to Wallasey Branch Labour Party. Until recently I was PCC Secretary for 5 years. I am married to Iris and have a son, daughter and four grandchildren.
What do you think are the health benefits of volunteering?
It is good to keep active and I think the main health benefit for me is mental agility, though when I volunteer at Arrowe Park it is mainly physical.
What do you hope to do in the future?
I intend to keep volunteering as long as I am able to make a contribution. I achieved a lot in my working life and would hope to continue to learn and achieve in life after paid work. Who knows what is around the corner – I am sure greater things are yet to come. Always the optimist…
We here at Community Action Wirral thank Les for all the hard work and happiness he has contributed to our working lives over the years. We truly couldn’t manage without him!
