Office volunteer uses working life skills to help charity

While many may think volunteering for a charity only involves fundraising, Valerie Jenkins is here to show you that any skills can be put to use. 

Valerie has been giving her time as an office volunteer to Marie Curie for the past 18 months.

 Working at the charity’s Dafen office in Llanelli once a week, Valerie can do anything from counting donations that have come in from fundraisers, to file sorting and phoning organisations to ask them to sign up to the latest fundraising campaign. 

But, Valerie she definitely isn’t a fundraiser herself. 

“Fundraising, it’s not something I feel comfortable doing, but I knew I could bring my skills to this role quite easily,” said the 67-year-old. 

“I heard an appeal on the radio, on Swansea Sound.  Community fundraiser Hannah Leckie was talking about the need for someone to do some general office and admin work at the Dafen office in Llanelli.” 

Valerie’s husband died suddenly 3 years ago, and after grieving and sorting through a lot of personal paperwork, needed something else to fill her time. 

“My background is in office work throughout my working life – I worked at the Department of Employment, the civil service,” said Valerie, of Pontarddulais. 

“I wanted to do something meaningful and something where I could feel I had achieved something really. 

“There’s always someone here in the office, so if I need any help, they are here.” 

Valerie says she enjoys the company she gets in the role, but has also enjoyed finding out more about Marie Curie, which provides care and support to people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

Talking about her particular role during Volunteers’ Week 2017, Valerie listed some crucial qualities for anyone wanting to become an office volunteer. 

“I think you have to be familiar with office work.  If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like sitting at a desk, then it’s not for you,” she said. 

“I would say you need to be fairly organised, and with a commitment to the job at hand regardless of whether it’s mundane or interesting work.” 

Sara Bass, fundraising manager for Wales, who is based at the Dafen office, said: “Office volunteers like Valerie provide our staff with vital support, in particular at times when we see a lot of donations coming into the offices, such as around the Great Daffodil Appeal. 

“Being able to use the skills she has built up through her working life means Valerie is a valued member of the team, as are all our office volunteers.”

Can you volunteer for Marie Curie? Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/volunteer