Chris' story: Finding purpose again with Age Connects West Midlands

From helping to shape the future of Highbury as a Trustee, to caring for its beautiful gardens or bringing its fascinating history to life for visitors, there are many different ways to volunteer with Chamberlain Highbury Trust. We hear from three volunteers about what brought them to Highbury, what they enjoy about their roles and why they would encourage others to get involved. Charlotte Askew - Trustee (Left hand picture) Tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to volunteering at Highbury? I am the youngest Trustee at CHT and have been involved with the Trust for just over a year. Although I am now based in London, I make every effort to attend events whenever I’m back home in Birmingham. Having grown up in a neighbouring area, I would often visited Highbury, so when the opportunity arose to join the Trust, I leapt at the chance! Highbury is a real treasure in the city, and I feel incredibly privileged to play a part in preserving and promoting it. I love how accessible the house and park are to everyone, and there’s nothing better than taking a stroll through the gardens in spring and summer when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Whether you’re relaxing by the water or exploring the grounds, it’s a place that belongs to the people of Birmingham - which is a very unique thing. Being able to help preserve its beauty and history is something I’m incredibly proud of. What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Highbury? What I enjoy most is volunteering alongside like-minded people who care deeply about the future of this historic building. Everyone is united by a shared passion for preserving Highbury and ensuring it continues to thrive as a beacon for the community. It’s incredibly rewarding to work together towards that common goal. What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with the Trust? Absolutely do it! It’s a rare opportunity to contribute to the story of a remarkable house that is so deeply rooted in Birmingham’s history. Highbury is living history, and there’s something truly special about helping to safeguard it for future generations while sharing it with visitors today. It’s also a great way to meet people who share a passion for Birmingham’s heritage. Ian McCallum – Garden Volunteer (Middle picture) Tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to volunteering at Highbury When I retired from child mental health nursing I joined several volunteering groups, and one of these was the Highbury Orchard, a lovely, serene space that is a real community project. Through this I learned of the garden volunteers, and I was keen to explore this, as I love the park, and was in need of something a bit more physical. At the time the leader of volunteers, Alan had been cast adrift in the Canadian wilderness (how careless of him!}, but luckily, he survived and resumed his stimulating and fun leadership of the group. What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Highbury The trees and woodland are so beautiful, and it is rewarding to feel I play a small part in maintaining them. The group of men and women are fun to be with and very sociable. As you can see, the coffee break is an integral part of the morning, which allows us to put the world to rights. I have learned a lot from Alan's expertise, and now also from Head Gardener Lucy. The work is varied but much of it involves maintaing the diversity of trees, by removing or pruning ones in the wrong place, to improve the views in the park, but also plenty of weeding, and general maintenance like drainage gully clearing. I feel it does make a difference. It is informal and people are able to contribute according to their interests and commitments. For those who prefer gardening to the more physical work, Lucy now leads horticulture groups in the park. I look forward to the group every Monday, and come back tired but uplifted. What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with the Trust? All the group leaders are accessible and helpful, so talk to them, and come along to try out a group if you are interested. You can do this without committing yourself. I am yet to meet anyone who has regretted joining the group. Janice Bridger – Tour Guide (Right hand picture) How long have you been volunteering with the Trust? I trained with the first group of guides about 6 years ago but we had a long break during the pandemic. Tell us a bit about yourself and what first attracted you to volunteering at Highbury I knew the house after attending retirement meals there when I worked nearby as a teacher. However I knew none of the history and when I came and looked around I was fascinated how the garden seemed to link with the house. Seeing the stained glass and other natural designs made me want to find out more and tell other people about it. What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Highbury? Every time I do a session I meet different people with interesting ideas about history/architecture and it’s great that it goes in both directions- we both learn from each other! What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with the Trust? Do it!! You will meet lots of fascinating people, and build your confidence too. What is the Chamberlain Highbury Trust? The Chamberlain Highbury Trust (registered charity no: 1169845) is dedicated to preserving and restoring Highbury Hall and its grounds, and ensuring that its history and cultural significance are shared. www.highburyhallandpark.co.uk Find out about current opportunities to volunteer at the Trust

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How one volunteer came to volunteering for Age Connects West Midlands through a chance meeting with the volunteer manager. Over the past few years she has befriended many isolated people and will continue to do so.