Chiara is a Link Age Southwark volunteer who, after becoming pregnant, decided to take a step back from work. She used some of her newfound free time to help out at our Seated Dance group on a Friday. We chatted to Chiara to hear a little bit about what volunteering means to her. 

What’s your name? 

Chiara De Vita. 

And how long have you been volunteering and what do you do for Link Age Southwark? 

So I’ve probably been volunteering for about 5 or 6 months now, and I have been assisting the group that meets at St Mary’s Church which is a seated exercise dance group. 

What do you do at the group? 

I make sure everything runs smoothly. I come and make sure that the building’s unlocked and that everything’s open. If I wasn’t pregnant, I would set up all the chairs and the tables and everything, but, because of the timing of my volunteering I’ve been pregnant [laughing] so I’ve been a bit useless on that front! Then I take the register and I normally get a jug of water and glasses for anyone who wants that. Also, because of the different transport methods, people arrive at all different times, so I’m basically always on the lookout for people coming to the group!  

I feel like, because I’ve been pregnant, everyone has just warmed to that... the older generation are like, yeah, I’ve had ten children and it’s amazing!

And then, yeah, so before the class actually starts, and after it finishes, I’m just chatting to everyone. I love the chatting. Everyone knows a little bit of everyone’s business – we're always checking in with each other, and gossiping – the usual stuff, it can be from the weather to personal things, and actually, I feel like, because I’ve been pregnant, everyone has just warmed to that, especially the older generations. People are excited about it, and a lot of them have had their own children so they have a lot of personal stories to tell. It’s been great to have people interested, and people sharing their stories in a supportive way. Also, I think that because it’s an older generation, they have so much experience, and they’re so mature, and actually it’s very different and nurturing support they give me. A lot of younger people who have had children are sort of, [laughing] still so traumatised by it, it’s all very negative, whereas the older generation are like, yeah, I’ve had ten children and it’s amazing! [laughing] Yeah, so it feels very positive. 

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering? 

Being a part of the community and, basically, making friends. Like, I feel I have this new friendship group! Most service users come regularly, and so you build a friendship with everyone. It feels great, and I look forward to it every Thursday. I’ve had quite a few different volunteering roles, and this has been my favourite one – I've always looked forward to this one the most.  

I’ve always wanted to just be part of the community, because why not? You live in a community, why not be part of it?

Also, at the same time, it’s the community building – this is quite personal, but [the exercise group] has been perfect for me. I have limited mobility because of my pregnancy, and I’ve been able to do the class itself [laughing] and I’ve really enjoyed it! Participating has been so helpful to me, and I’ve just really enjoyed it. To be honest, even if I didn’t have mobility issues (not that I’m ill or anything, I’m just pregnant!) it’s been really enjoyable to take the class, and benefit from Lisa’s creative genius. I would never have done that normally, so volunteering has been great for that. 

Finally, why did you get into volunteering? 

Well, I’ve lived in Nunhead for maybe 10 years, and I’ve always worked in the corporate world and been very busy and not really been a member of the community as such. So when I got pregnant I finally had some time to just ease off the hardcore work, and I’ve always wanted to just be part of the community, because why not? You live in a community, why not be part of it? And so yeah, as soon as I had that opportunity I took it, through volunteering, because the best way to be a part of your community is to volunteer, and meet everyone, not just people that are exactly like you [laughs]. 

---

We are constantly looking out for new volunteers to support all of the various groups we run at LAS. If you'd like to get involved with your local community like Chiara, apply with us now!

Apply to volunteer here!