"I knew that once I’d retired, I wanted to give back, and in giving back it provides you with a purpose in life.”
John Tucker shares his journey to becoming one of our long-standing volunteers and the benefits of gardening that he sees in carers.
“I first encountered The Carers’ Centre when I was still working. I was the deputy manager of a garden centre and groups from The Carers’ Centre would come in and I’d do a talk with them about gardening. At that time, my mother-in-law was caring for my father-in-law, and I saw firsthand the toll it can take on someone.
I started volunteering at The Carers’ Centre about 15 years ago when the Hampton Court Garden Show gifted them a garden. I had since retired and received a call to see if I could help plant it in the back garden of the centre. Over the last 8 years I’ve been doing a morning a month of volunteering in The Carers’ Centre garden. Every second Monday a group of us will get together and we’ll do some planting, potting, sowing seeds, weeding etc in the garden. It’s a very casual morning, lots of chat about gardening and then once we’re done, we sit and have a coffee. Many of those who come to join us say they don’t have a clue about gardening, and I see my role as giving them confidence.
Having worked in horticulture for the past 55 years, I know the mental and physical benefits being in the fresh air and touching the soil can bring. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a big back garden or a window box. I always say to people to just have a go!
We love having new people joining us and they always fit in straight away. I’ll always try to pair people up and while working the conversation always starts to flow very naturally. I know for them, that opportunity to step away from their caring duties for just a few hours can make a big difference. At the end of those few hours, they can step back and see their contribution has made a difference, it was worth it.
Once I retired, I knew I wanted to give back, and in giving back it provides you with a purpose in life. I know some people shy away from volunteering because they think they’re going to be overwhelmed. I didn’t want to push myself and I found The Carers’ Centre was very flexible with the time I could give. I’ve been blessed with a knowledge about gardening and using that to help, support and inspire others does give you that warm feeling.”
Considering volunteering with us?
Whether you can give the odd hour here or there, or can commit to a more regular role, there are many opportunities to get involved with The Carers’ Centre.
