Volunteer Profile

Moseley CDT, like many other charitable organisations in the area, only survives as a result of our volunteers. They come from a broad spectrum of people, from very different backgrounds - what they have in common is their commitment to working for the community around them.

From the front line - a volunteer's view ...

Information Centre notice board

I became a volunteer in April 2003. At the time I had no intention of volunteering (I had always been paid for what I did) - however, from a flyer that came through my letter box I learned that a consultative meeting was to take place in the Post Office building in Moseley on the subject of G.M. foods. This was something that interested me - indeed concerned me - therefore I attended the meeting. During the meeting I got into conversation with a lady called Sarah who asked me if I was interested in becoming a volunteer. I had just retired from work after fifty years and frankly I was not liking my new situation, I was bored and stressed out.

The outcome of this was that I received a telephone call from Jill Arbuckle, the administrator of Moseley CDT, inviting me to come into the building and talk about how best to use my very limited talents. Since that time I have become an expert on the photocopier machine, have folded thousands of leaflets and put them in envelopes and delivered those through hundreds of letter boxes. I do believe I have become fitter but I am very glad that I was never a postman. I staff the information centre one afternoon a week and I also get involved with the monthly Farmers' Market. I think my main responsibility is opening up the Post Office building every morning and sometimes closing it up at night. I like to think also that I am a jobbing volunteer in that I will help out with most things - moving furniture, setting rooms for meetings, making coffee and doing the washing up.

I really do hope that I have been useful during the last year and a bit although I do believe that Moseley Community Development Trust has helped me more that I have helped it.

Ted Blagburn, August 2004

Update - November 2006

Over the past three years Ted's role at Moseley CDT has evolved and increased. He has got up early and opened the CDT building in all weathers for the past three years (apart from the odd occasion when he has had a well deserved holiday). Along with numerous other voluntary jobs as mentioned above Ted also helps out at the monthly Moseley Farmers' Market. As with all volunteers his help is invaluable and without regular support of volunteers the Farmers' Market would not be able to take place. There are numerous activities, events and organisations in Moseley that rely on people like Ted who give their time and energy.

Ted appreciates the many friends he has made over the past three years and still makes sure he allows time to watch the cricket in the summer and have the odd drink in the pub. He enjoys attending the social events at Moseley CDT and being involved with the many different community groups. Volunteering has meant that retirement for Ted has been something he finds stimulating, positive and rewarding.