Volunteer of the Month – Susannah
Susannah Williams has been volunteering with us for around a year – she’s become a core member of the Windmill Community Club team, helping out every Thursday. She particularly enjoys cooking the two course lunch for club members which is hugely appreciated. She has also helped out with some of our baking classes at the Windmill Centre. Here are some of Susannah’s thoughts on volunteering at FoWG:
What sort of volunteering do you do with Friends of Windmill Gardens and how long have you been volunteering?
I have been volunteering for about a year at the weekly Brixton Windmill Community Club. Although I joined up to do whatever was needed, it soon became clear that I was of most use doing the cooking – which suits me, as I love it!
Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do when you are not volunteering?
I have a large family, mainly living at home, which keeps me busy, but I love cooking, watching TV with my husband, and interacting with my many cats. I have recently become a grandmother, and I’m looking forward to pushing a pram around the local area.
How did you get into volunteering with FoWG?
I signed up to do a sourdough baking day at the windmill, and really loved the atmosphere. By chance, the following weekend there was a volunteering event, and I went along to find out how I could get involved. BWCC was suggested to me, and I never looked back!
What’s your favourite thing about volunteering?
My absolute favourite thing has been making new friends. As volunteers, we are all there for a common purpose, of our own accord, in order to make a positive difference to other people. But I like to think I have also made friends amongst the club members, too. I have spent the last 30-odd years cooking for my family, so making meals for the club members and other volunteers feels like an extension of that, in a way. I also like having a regular date in my diary, to structure my week around.
How have you benefited from volunteering?
I have new friends and a sense of purpose, as well as the feeling that in a small way I am benefiting the community where I live.
What advice would you give someone looking to volunteer?
Take the plunge! I was lucky to find my perfect slot first time, but even if I hadn’t gelled at the BWCC, I would have tried another of the many roles that are available at Brixton Windmill. The sense of satisfaction from helping others cannot be underestimated!
Tell us a surprising fact about Brixton Windmill (if you can)
I don’t think I know any!
