Wendy has been a volunteer for 3 years with Age Concern, Devon's Healthy Living Centre in Seaton and her story provides a great example of how mutually beneficial and rewarding volunteering can be.

Wendy first started volunteering almost by accident - she called into the Healthy Living Centre initially to find out about a trip that was advertised, and, as she puts it, "has hardly left since"!

Her first experience of volunteering was with the MITS project (short for Mobile Internet Taster Sessions) which she describes as 'a hands-on computer project for the terrified' and admits that, whilst she didn’t know much about computers at first, she knows a lot more now! This claim is supported by Wendy's proven ability in producing publicity literature for the Healthy Living Centre and her latest venture is a fundraising Quiz booklet, devised and produced entirely by her (including all the questions!)

In addition to enjoying the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at Age Concern, Devon's Healthy Living Centre in Seaton, due in no small part to the efforts of coordinator Dot Chipperfield, Wendy has also enjoyed other rewards as part of her volunteering. One such was an invitation to an evening cocktail party at 11 Downing Street, London - a wonderful, memorable experience.

Wendy's efforts as a volunteer are greatly appreciated by Age Concern, Devon and she, along with other Age Concern volunteers were recently presented with Certificates by Devon County Councilor Margaret Rogers as part of a celebration of volunteers to mark National Volunteers' Week. Wendy, however, modestly feels that the benefits she enjoys from her volunteering far outweigh her contributions, expressed by her sincere comment, "nothing I do repays what I get from Age Concern".