It was November 2014 and I’d got to the stage in my life that I wanted to give something back and do something that made me feel good about myself. I had an interesting job but it was very corporate.

Maybe it was a bit of ‘mid-life crisis’ too combined with empty nest – my son hadn’t long left home. I’m not sure really but I was looking for something and I didn’t know what it was exactly.

I looked up different volunteering opportunities and I saw

 Keynsham Mencap but I dismissed it initially as I thought it would be working one-to-one with people.

I had no experience of learning disabilities and I was worried I might not like it and end up letting people down.

I saw a friend on Facebook posting photos of her volunteering with Mencap and it didn’t

 look like one-to-one so I asked her about it – she said it was the best thing she’d ever done so I got in touch.

I started volunteering at the 18+ club (now Club25) and the first night was drumming. It was LOUD and busy but I immediately loved the energy and the atmosphere with all the members and the volunteering team.

I have been volunteering every Thursday evening (bar holidays or sickness) every since and every Thursday I feel so much better for the experience.

Keynsham Mencap sent me on the MIDAS mini bus driving course so I could also drive a mini bus on some of the trips out on a Thursday evening. The variety of activities offered in the Club25 programme is impressive.

I also do day trips such as the Millfield School Day in June which is excellent, the Bob Cook Games in August, Sports Day in the Summer and Santa’s Grotto in December. I enjoy helping with fundraising events and the quarterly Uproar disco for adults with learning disabilities at Komedia in Bath.

I also volunteer on all the Club25 holidays now as these are a real opportunity to get to know members. I won’t pretend that they are not hard work but the personal reward is phenomenal – like nothing else I have experienced. And oh my goodness do we all have fun!

There is a programme of events that is always different and mixing things up such as BBQ, disco, smoothy making, crafts, drumming, yoga, dancing, crafts, games, dressing up, circus skills… the list goes on.

When I’m in the hall I help to encourage members to take part, some just need a little encouragement to make the first move, or a bit of support to take part.

Often they just need a smile and a bit of congratulations to help them know they are doing the right thing.

You get to know members so you chat about their week, what they have done at work or where they have been that week.

If there is music and dancing well I’m up there with them dancing like no one is watching – our members LOVE dancing!

If I go out on the trip – there is a trip out most weeks – then I sometimes drive the bus and other times just form part of the volunteer support team.

While we are on our trip we help members take part in the activities which might involve – crazy golf, a meal out, bowling, a boat trip, trip to the pub, picnic in the park, trampolining… all sorts of things!

The best thing about volunteering is making people happy. By doing the simplest things I can have a positive impact on someone else.

Each week I walk through the door and I’m greeted with smiles, handshakes, high fives, eagerness to tell me their news… its just the best feeling.

The clubs can be the highlight of some of our members weeks so the ability to contribute and make their experience the best it can be is a real privilege. Holidays are next level up entirely!

I recently wrote a list of reasons I LOVE holidays even though they are utterly exhausting! This is what I came up with: