Story and photos by Surtag Hack
On 17th June, Burngreave Library hosted a Festival of Learning event. I went to see what was happening and do my first report as a volunteer for the Messenger.
Organiser Helen Warren from SOAR was offering advice on local courses and other activities. Activities at the event included a relaxing hand massage, a First Aid demonstration, help to quit smoking, housing advice and Qi Gong Tai Chi.
There were craft activities, including fashionable stress relieving colouring in sheets, and of course a Burngreave Messenger volunteering stall.
Helen told me:
“Today we are here to support people get the information from the different organisations. The people who have come here today are interested in community activities and meeting new people.”
Angela Dalton teaches crafts at the Springboard Social Café and came to see what else was going on in the community. She has volunteered with SOAR for four years.
“I really enjoy it. I suffer from depression and low confidence. Doing voluntary work has made me less depressed and given more confidence to work with
. people.”
Another SOAR volunteer, Mary Rollinson, said:
“I think there should be more groups especially for people who have disabilities and mental illness.”
I enjoyed every moment of reporting for the Messenger, it was an honour to contribute.
Springboard Social Café – a women only group – is held at Vestry Hall every fortnight on a Thursday.