Our December Volunteer of the Month is Jennifer Bruce!
Jennifer volunteers at Anne Hope House, our therapeutic residential community for women who are homeless and seeking to make positive changes in their lives. Volunteer Coordinator, Gladness Cole, spoke to her about her story and what she finds so worthwhile in her volunteer role:
“I am Jennifer Bruce. I was a physiotherapist in the NHS from 1987 until I retired in June 2021, before I joined Anne Hope House as a gardening Volunteer.”
“Gardening is one of my favourite hobbies and, after my retirement, I was looking to give something back to my community while doing something I enjoy. I then paid a visit to Anne Hope House and immediately noticed that in their garden they had a lot of work had been done. The garden was a work in progress and I decided to get involved.
Throughout my career, I worked with a diverse range of patients, including those with complex mental health issues and individuals who had experienced trauma or abuse [so I was sensitive to some of the challenges the women at Anne Hope House were facing].
Being a part of Bethany Christian Trust has been incredibly fulfilling. I find the gardening work enjoyable, and I must say that the team is amazing.
It brings me such joy to engage in something I love and see how much it is appreciated. It’s very rewarding to observe how much the residents enjoy watching over the garden and relaxing while admiring the space.”
“If anyone is considering joining a worthwhile charity, I would strongly encourage them to get involved with Bethany Christian Trust. It offers a wonderful sense of purpose and direction, all while allowing for flexible time commitments.”