Westbank is fortunate to have Bridget as a volunteer. Since joining us two years ago, Bridget has worked on reception, in the kitchen, and as a driver for our warm space initiative and Neighbourhood Friends (medical appointments/collecting patients from hospital). Occasionally, she also supports our adult social care group.

Bridget is a carer for an adult child with high-functioning autism, ADHD and OCD. She receives our Carers’ newsletter and responded to a request for volunteers when she was scaling back her work for an education trust. She was keen to do something face-to-face, near her home in Exeter, that would enable her to meet people and provide immediate, practical help.

Bridget brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and wisdom to her volunteering roles, gained during her teaching career, as a Safeguarding lead and SEND advisor. She has experienced devastating grief after losing her 22-year-old son seven years ago, the same year her mother died.

Bridget says, “Doing unpaid work is really important to me. It allows me to use many of the skills I’ve learned in my professional and personal life; supporting people gives me huge personal satisfaction. I learn from every person I meet, hopefully becoming kinder, more compassionate, understanding and grateful. It’s easy to focus on what you don’t have, but you have to remind yourself of what you do have. We can all be kind.”

Bridget also drives for Tedburn St Mary Outreach and mentors for The Compassionate Friends, which supports bereaved parents.