‘My fellow volunteers give so much to the High Peak community’

My name’s Helen and I volunteer as trustee for small local charity: Carers Connecting SEN High Peak. We provide support and activities for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), and their families, in the High Peak area. 

For Volunteers’ Week I want to give a big shout out to the wonderful Hayley and Rachel, who volunteer at the Carers Connecting SEN High Peak peer support group every Wednesday. They provide a friendly face for new parents and carers who haven’t been to the group before, and make sure people never walk in feeling alone. Hayley and Rachel give so much: they’re incredibly humble about their contribution, but what they do means the world to me and my fellow trustees.  

Committed to the cause

Hayley and Rachel are good friends and it shows in their volunteering. They’re brilliant communicators and support each other diligently: if one of them isn’t able to make it that week, the other steps in. It’s so reassuring to know the group’s in safe hands and that safeguarding concerns will always be managed appropriately. They make my role so easy!  

Both Hayley and Rachel have very busy personal lives, and have children of their own with special educational needs. They juggle hospital appointments, referrals, and their other children – and yet they show up every week to support others in the community. I hope they realise what a joy they are to have as volunteers, and the impact they have. 

I must also give the trustees a special mention. Joanne, Nicola, Amy, and Paula give so much of themselves to this organisation – again, around their own families and day jobs. They push each other, challenge each other, and cheer each other on. I’m in awe of what they continue to achieve.