Celebrating Volunteers
By Tina Fields
Here at Caring For Life we are extremely privileged to have the support of many faithful and dedicated people who give their time volunteering. We recently held a “thank you” meal to recognise the work that is undertaken and to express our appreciation to those who were able or lived close enough to attend. Some of our volunteers travel from all across the country to help us one or two weeks each year, and some live a good distance away but travel in for a day each week.
Held over two evenings, the Refectory was transformed so that everyone could be seated together and our Chefs, Mark and Pete, produced some really delicious food.
On both of the evenings we welcomed our volunteers along with their partners, and members of staff also came to spend time with their much-valued volunteers, in a relaxed setting. This was a great time of fellowship and it provided an opportunity to get to know those we haven’t previously met, or spent much time with. It was very helpful for staff to spend time with those who help them on their projects, without the pressure of project activities.
We recognise that a key to our success at CFL is being blessed to have God’s people who willingly share their gifts of experience, skill and loving kindness with those He has entrusted into our care and Peter expressed this when he spoke at both evenings.
Peter brought along with him The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This Award was received in 2005, (a year before I myself began working here, so I looked it up on the official website to see what the criteria was for the award) and this is what’s quoted on the site:
“Its purpose is to recognise groups of individuals who are giving their time freely for the benefit of others. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon groups of this kind and is equivalent in status to the MBE. As such, the Queen's Award not only serves to provide recognition of volunteer groups, but also demonstrates the high respect in which volunteering is held.”
What an amazing achievement! We are aware this isn’t the reason why people volunteer, but to receive such a high accolade is remarkable and it is a testament to the dedication and faithfulness of our volunteers, seen every day here at CFL. Peter went on to remind the volunteers of how much difference they make to everyone here at CFL.
Those we support benefit greatly from the input of volunteers, and our staff simply could not manage without the help volunteers give, whether it’s for one day a week or a given period of time during the year.
We can never fully express just how thankful we all are for each one of our volunteers, our “lifeline”. Selfless service over long periods of time (some for many years) was also mentioned, as some volunteers only stay with an organization a brief time, but then again, ours aren’t your average volunteers!
This message is of course for everyone who gives their time in voluntary service at CFL and we are just sorry that everyone couldn’t be there at one of these events. It would have been lovely to see all volunteers together, but we are aware that’s not possible. We are also aware of some supporters who would dearly love to volunteer, but they cannot, due to infirmity or to how far away they live from Leeds. But we know that those supporters are with us each day in prayer, and they play an absolutely vital role in the CFL family.
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Philippians 1: 3-6
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
