Attend Volunteer Charity

04/09/2026

This summer, the Cedar challenge team have done an amazing job as always giving the gardens a summer refresh. Making sure that everything looks tidy, vibrant and welcoming for all the residents. The newest addition being a raised sensory bed - full of fun, tactile plants to feel and smell.

As always thank you to all the volunteers involved for there dedication and hard work, we can’t wait to see what you have in store next!

02/09/2026

A while ago we interviewed Maggie Linford for our Friends Voices project, since then Maggie has now been nominated for a Make a Difference Volunteering award. A warm heartfelt congratulations goes out from us to Maggie for all the great work her and the Friends do.

Maggie had a life of supporting people through her careers, as a social worker and an occupational therapist, once retired she continued to make a difference in her community through volunteering.

To learn more about Maggie’s Story or the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital, Please visit:

https://friendsvoices.co.uk/the-collection/maggie-linford-friends-of-st-marys/

A while ago we interviewed Maggie Linford for our Friends Voices project, since then Maggie has now been nominated for a Make a Difference Volunteering award. A warm heartfelt congratulations goes out from us to Maggie for all the great work her and the Friends do. Maggie had a life of supporting pe...

26/08/2026

Adele’s Journey: From Coordinator to Confident Leader Through CMI Level 5

Adele recently completed Attend Academy’s CMI Level 5 course—a step she describes
as pivotal in reshaping both her confidence and her leadership identity.

Early Career and Professional Background:
Adele began her career in the army before transitioning into the education sector, where she spent 15 years. Over time, she moved into volunteer coordination, a role she held
across several organisations. Her experience eventually led her to her current position
in HR, where she oversees all volunteer coordinators within her charity, develops new volunteering policies, and manages the growing volume of paperwork that comes with a
rapidly expanding organisation.
“It’s a charity that’s grown really quick, but hasn’t quite caught up with all the paperwork
or new stuff they’re putting in place,” she explains.

Why She Chose the CMI Level 5 Course:
After many years in coordination roles, Adele felt it was time to stretch herself professionally. She wanted a “higher level qualification” and to “up [her] game a little bit,” recognising
that her responsibilities were expanding and that she needed stronger leadership and management foundations to support others effectively.

How the Course Transformed Her Confidence:
As she progressed through the course, Adele found herself developing not just new skills, but a new sense of authority in her role. “It’s really helped me with the legal side of it… not just managing the volunteers, but creating structure,” she says. “I support all the other volunteer coordinators in the
company… so the fact that I’ve done that course makes me a lot more confident in giving that guidance out as well.”
Adele had always viewed herself as someone with low confidence—certainly not a leader. Completing the CMI Level 5 changed that. “Now the course has given me that sort of voice,” she says. “I’ve even challenged things within the company and changed guidance for managers. I’ve actually written guidance
for managers.”

Her Experience on the Course:
Despite initial nerves, Adele found the learning environment far more approachable than she expected. “The course leader was lovely, really supportive. We did units in little chunks and it was
more relaxed and structured that way. It was a good experience.”

Adele’s Advice to Future Learners:
Looking back, Adele wishes she hadn’t been so intimidated at the start. Her message to others considering the course is simple: be open, be relaxed, and trust the process.

23/08/2026

This week at the stroke cafe, clients enjoyed an origami session facilitated by one our current volunteers, This was a new experience for many and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

One client expressing “The last time I did this was in school, could we please do this more!”

We look forward to running more of these sessions in the future and seeing the creativity of everyone involved flourish.

17/08/2026

On June 15th, 2026, members of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) joined with the Friends of Amarna House to revive and rejuvenate the care home’s garden. After a full day’s work, residents will now have a tranquil view of roses, newly planted pots, and a freshly painted blue garden arbour.



Rachel Lambley, an FSA worker, reflects on this day with fondness as she recounts her experience. This being her fourth time volunteering at the Amarna House, Rachel shares, “My motivation to get involved is to give time to an activity that benefits the local community and achieves a noticeable result within 1 day – so an instant win.”



Joined by 6 other FSA workers, Rachel and her colleagues spent the day painting fences, pruning roses, and replanting herbs and vegetable beds while also having the opportunity to admire flowers and vegetation that had grown since their previous visit.

FSA workers volunteer at least twice a year to garden at Amarna House. With only a few of them being able to attend their office in person, most FSA staff work from home. Rachel states how many of them “miss the ‘in person’ connection.” She continues, “Even when we are in the office, a lot of time is spent on endless online meetings with our headphones on!”

By volunteering together, FSA workers able to do something different by connecting with nature, the outdoors, and with each other.

“I was partnered up with a colleague that I have never met or spoken to before. It turned out we had both attended the same primary and secondary school (although a few years apart) so we could swap notes on old teachers,” said Rachel, “It’s amazing what you can sometimes find out about people when you strike up a conversation.”

In the end, FSA workers were able to form new connections while the residents of Amarna House will now be able to enjoy a beautiful and fresh garden.

“It’s rewarding to see the difference we can make when we come together for just one day and achieve a lot of tasks that make a big difference to the look and feel of the garden, and to know that residents and their families really appreciate it – whether they come out into the garden or even just enjoy the view from their window,” said Rachel.

14/08/2026

Patty Yiu, aged 55, is a volunteer at Aspen Court care home. Just a 30-minute walk from home, Patty has been volunteering for over a year through Attend’s Befriending services. She spends a few hours each week helping to give the residents some friendly company. After a while, Patty’s role expanded to help with distributing meals at lunchtime as well.

In 2022, Patty immigrated to London from Hong Kong, where she worked as a social worker. Coming from a people-oriented background, she was always working to serve those around her by getting to know her clients and what their needs were.

Now, Patty has continued using her skills of service while volunteering at Aspen Court. With great care and effort, she consistently shows up to create a deeper impression on residents. “If you want to make them remember you, you have to show up. If I’m showing up every lunchtime, it will be easier for them to remember my face,” said Patty.

Although there are hard days, Patty enjoys chatting with residents often. For some, their short-term memory fades, but “they still can talk and when they do,” says Patty, “I feel really happy to hear about their old memories.”

Patty’s time as a befriender not only provides company but helps the residents with improving their memory overtime as well. “After one year, I think some of the residents, they start to remember the conversations they have last week, so it’s actually quite amazing.”

Recalling her favorite memories, Patty has enjoyed working with residents who have shared stories about their life experiences. Learning from them, Patty reflects on her own life and thinks ahead to her future. “One resident was 93, so I learned a lot. I can prepare myself and can also help to take care of my friends or my partner when we get older.”

Patty encourages others to volunteer as it is a good way to serve others and gain experience for future careers as well. “I want to combine my strengths for in the future when I want to work in adult care, I will have a solid experience,” said Patty, “Being a volunteer is a good start.”

06/08/2026

Attend staff members, Catherine Wood and Christopher Wood, have been working with a rock wall climbing center called IndiRock to set up mental health awareness sessions and help to develop Mental Health Champions from within the Centre.

They are working under the banner of South East and Central Essex Mind (SECE). These mental health sessions will take place on the first Thursday of each month, with resources now also available throughout the centre.

The first session was focused on getting to know the participants and collaborating on what they wanted the sessions to look like. While Catherine spoke with people on the floor, Chris spent his time actively climbing the wall and chatting with the other people in the centre.
“I have never climbed before. But on my first session there, I made it to the top of four of the beginner walls.” Chris proudly said. “I’m hoping to get some friends to come along and join at future sessions.”

It’s good to see Attend members getting involved with their communities in different ways.

05/08/2026

The League of Friends of Glangwili Hospital hosted their first tractor run about a year ago. This was a fundraiser for the Glangwili Hospital where 26 drivers drove their tractors 25 miles on the Carmarthen countryside.
With a lot of support from about 15 local businesses, the League of Friends raised over 2 thousand pounds. Simon Jenkins, the vice chair of the League of Friends, said they have agreed to do a tractor run biannually.
“Without those local businesses support, we wouldn’t have made as much money,” Simon expressed in a recent interview about the event.

31/07/2026

St John’s Day is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of John the Baptist. Following King Henry VIII’s break from the Church, the traditional celebration was later revived and adapted into an annual event for the Order of St John in the nineteenth century. Today, the Order’s Annual Service of Commemoration and Re-dedication takes place at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The ceremony honours the Order of St John’s historic legacy while sharing a contemporary message that remains relevant to St John Ambulance members today. The Order of St John is a British royal order of chivalry and a modern international charity. It is best known for running St John Ambulance services and supporting hospitals around the world.

Baroness Audrey Emerton, former Vice President of Attend, passed away in February 2026 and was honoured during this grand service.

Baroness Emerton’s life mission was to make an impact, not to seek recognition. Even so, the commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral offered a fitting acknowledgement of her contribution.

The following excerpt was read during the act of commemoration:

“Audrey Caroline, the Right Honorable the Baroness Emerton, a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, a Dame Grand Cross of our Most Venerable Order and a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, and Chancellor and Chief Commander of this Priory from 1999 to 2002.”

Janet Simpson, an Attend staff member, attended the ceremony and described it as a fitting tribute to those being honoured. The congregation watched the fanfare, followed by the wonderful choir. Volunteers of all ages, past and present, from St John Ambulance were also in attendance.

The Chancellor of the Order received the banner for Baroness Emerton, along with another to be presented to the Dean and laid upon the Dome Altar. This was followed by the act of commemoration, during which the banners were lowered in salute. The choir sang beautifully before the banners were returned to the Chancellor of the Order, handed back to the Esquire, cased in black, and carried to the east of the Cathedral.

The grandeur and pageantry of the ceremony were impressive, but they did not overshadow the Order’s guiding purpose: to help all who are in need, regardless of nationality or religious belief.

31/07/2026

Leaning his walking stick against the wall, Lesley dove head-first into an hour-long, non-stop game of Subbuteo.

Lesley is a long-term resident at Horse Fair Care Home. He usually keeps to himself and doesn’t participate in activities much, but when the Friends of Horse Fair organised this Subbuteo session for the residents, Lesley was eager to join in.

Steve Moreton, Attend’s training and developmental lead, chatted with him while he played. Lesley shared stories from his youth, from football to cricket.

Afterwards, Lesley continued to share memories and experiences with the staff at the home. The activity left residents and staff smiling and in high spirits, showing how a simple game can spark conversation, connection, and joy.