Volunteer Stories- Seth and Anne

Side-by-side photos of two Galloway’s volunteers, Seth and Anne, as part of a “Volunteer Stories” feature for Volunteers’ Week. On the left, Seth is smiling and seated, wearing a navy jacket and red lanyard. On the right, Anne is smiling warmly, wearing a dark cardigan, patterned top, and an orange lanyard. The background features green and black banners with stars and the text “Volunteer stories” and “Volunteers’ Week.”

2nd-8th June 2025 is Volunteers’ Week and we are celebrating the unrivalled input and dedication of Galloways volunteers all week.

Meet Seth and Anne who tell their stories about their motivations for becoming Galloways volunteers.

Seth volunteers on our Get Active programme.

How long have you been volunteering at Galloways?

I started volunteering in October 2024 via the “Be Healthy, Get Active” initiative.

What inspired you to start volunteering?

I went to the sports initiative day at All Hallows High School in Penwortham as I was interested in volunteering with the sports activities and was intrigued as to how this would work for the visually impaired community.

What do you do as a volunteer?

I’m a sports activities volunteer covering a range of sports including cricket, tennis, baseball, boccia and showdown.

Why do you volunteer?

I love sports and feel they should be inclusive for all, to be able to do that in my local community is a privilege.

Would you recommend volunteering to others and if so, why?

If you want “job” satisfaction I can highly recommend joining the volunteer family as it’s extremely rewarding, it’s time well spent and a very worthwhile way to help and support our guests. Our service users, (I prefer guests) are a great bunch and we have loads of fun and laughter at all our sessions.

Anne Hyde is a long service volunteer of 17 years, completing a walok across hot coals in 2024 to raise money for Galloways and even celebrated her 90th birthday with us recently!

How long have you been volunteering at Galloways?

17 years!

What inspired you to start volunteering?

My husband was in the army in East Africa, from there I returned with experience of midwifery and working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and I was inspired to volunteer from then onwards. When I lost my husband, I moved to Penwortham and joined Galloways expecting just to do a bit of washing up here and there, but it has been so much more than that. Galloways is the best place I have volunteered because I know where the money goes and who it helps.

What do you do as volunteer?

Bringing out tea for the knitting club, fundraising, and away days such as going to Water Park on Coniston, which opened my eyes to what people with a Visual Impairment can do and the ambition of what they want to do with their lives.