Interests

I have always been involved in community life, having volunteered for as long as I can remember. From those days back in the 60s of ‘Bob-a-Job' weeks in the Cubs and Scouts, I can recall clearing gardens of rubbish. Ever since with that sense of community and belonging these groups engender, I have never stopped giving my time to the local causes; it gives a rich feeling of reward, and of course, thankfully there are many more like me who give their time and energy freely.

Volunteering

One of my passions is gardening. I once started a Gardening Society in the village where I lived and called it the ‘Ribchester Allotment and Gardening Society’ (RAGS) were I was appointed the Treasurer; I am pleased to say it is still going strong after 28 years.

Since moving to Westhoughton I helped to start and was Treasurer for St. John Ambulance Brigade, Westhoughton Division. A position I held for four years, before it moved to merge with Farnworth.

Whilst studying at the University of Salford, I volunteered for Age Concern (Bolton) for a number of years on its programme of delivering health and well-being, and worked at Blackrod health Centre. At the same time volunteering for NHS Pennine Trust on a similar program.

In 2007 I started Wigan and Leigh Local Support Group for Federation of Holistic Therapist as a co-ordinator. It support holistic therapy at all levels, meeting monthly with guess speakers, events, trips and courses.

Later I volunteered for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service working in the community highlighting fire awareness.

Local Project

I am founding member and Chairman of ‘Friends of Daisy Hill Station.’ Having adopted the station we have achieved so much. It is remarkably cleaner; we have succeeded in getting some funding for plants and artwork. It is affiliated with Royal Horticultural Society and it is registered as the first railway station in the UK to be a Fair Trade Station. We meet twice a monthly for clean-up and improvement work, and on presentation evenings.

I am also founding member and chairman of Westhoughton Fair Trade Steering Group which has already achieved its first national award.

Rewarding

Whilst being part of community life and projects can be demanding, it is so very rewarding, giving a great sense of accomplishment, camaraderie and self-worth, for the time we are able to offer outside of day-to-day demands.

For nearly fifty years I have met and worked with some wonderful individuals and friends, and I would certainly recommend those who have never tried volunteering to give it try, one route in might be through Do-It an online volunteering brokerage, or Bolton CVS or with one of the many community groups operating in your local area, making such a difference.

Cllr Jack Speight