Simon’s story
I had recently moved to the area and I wished to ease myself back into volunteering again, so I contacted WCAVA. Crown Routes were looking for someone familiar with WordPress to design their new website. Having designed WordPress websites in the past, my knowledge and expertise met their brief.
I was sent text and images, and my task was to convert them to be compatible with the WordPress platform. I used this platform to create a sleek website, using Affinity Photo to recolour, crop and resize photographs. I wished to ensure each image was prepared to the best of my capacities – with eye-popping colour enhancing the overall professional look of the website.
When I started designing the website’s banner, I took the Crown Routes logo and moved it around the page, trying to visualise a position with the idea of creating a collage. I decided to increase the size of the logo, and the larger the logo became, the more the shape appeared in my mind’s eye. I could just see the final design – a Eureka moment.
As Crown Routes’ web designer I am able to use my skills both creativity and technically. I enjoy the sense of achievement and knowing my work is being accessed by the local residents and the wider community.
Volunteering is great because I am able to use my skills and at the same time benefit the local community.
I would recommend volunteering to anyone; it can be challenging but also rewarding and the pride remains with you.
Oksana’s story
I came to volunteer because I wanted and needed to dedicate some time to help others – I had some time to spare. It was a big pleasure to come to Crown Routes every Thursday, to help to give people a good experience. Volunteering was what I wanted it to be: it was important for me and it really helped me to reflect; it gave me time for re-balancing my thoughts. I had come from a business life when everything is measured: your time, your outputs and your achievements, and to go straight from that to a period when you are not working leaves you with a lot of time, but also a lot of energy. It was very important for me to keep that energy going, and to take on a new commitment.
I would really strongly recommend volunteering; you can find a lot for yourself while you’re helping others.
Meada’s story
I’ve been volunteering at Crown Routes since December 2018, and I have found it to be a rewarding role. I moved to Warwick to work at the County Record Office after graduating from university, and I was eager to get to know the local area and involve myself in the community. I work Tuesday to Friday with some Saturdays so I knew I would always have Mondays free and I was keen to do something purposeful with the time. I had previously volunteered with SEN children and people experiencing homelessness, but my godmother told me about a community café where she volunteers so I thought it was a very good cause and would be a nice new challenge when I heard about the Crown Routes role via WCAVA. The team are all welcoming and friendly which has been very nice, and I enjoy working with Viv, our lovely chef.
On a typical Monday in the café I will help Viv prepare the meal – I have become a very efficient potato peeler! – and then I will serve the visitors, make the teas and collect the money, so it can get very busy. It has been nice to see more people come along, and we do have some real characters, they keep me on my toes and entertained! I know there are plans to do some more intergenerational activities at the café, and to encourage our visitors to share their stories about living in Warwickshire, both of which I think are very good ideas that I would like to be involved with.
Crown Routes 