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Volunteer work
Her first experience is at the community launderette situated in the Chase Shopping Centre in St Anne’s, one of the most deprived areas in Nottingham. It’s run on a non-profit making basis and is in many ways the lifeline of the community as Margaret discovers during her shifts with Manageress Jo.
Her first experience is at the community launderette situated in the Chase Shopping Centre in St Anne’s, one of the most deprived areas in Nottingham. It’s run on a non-profit making basis and is in many ways the lifeline of the community as Margaret discovers during her shifts with Manageress Jo.
The laundry service
People travel from all over the city to drop off their washing and stay to have a natter with Jo and her volunteers who are always ready with a smile and time to engage with their customers. For those who are too ill or elderly and unable to make it down to the launderette themselves, Jo has started up her own collection service also run by volunteers who drive around the city in the company’s dilapidated van picking up and dropping off clothes. As Margaret discovers on her outings with Patrick and Tony who drive the van, they are providing a valuable service for those stuck at home – not only in terms of the actual laundry service but in terms of much needed contact and communication with the outside world.
Margaret is clearly very impressed and moved by the work carried out by Jo and her volunteers and sees what a hub the launderette has become for the community at large. But she still remains unconvinced about what she can do to help and is very worried that she will end up after ten days, not being able to understand her own decisions, or even worse, making one because there was no other choice.
The Independent Street Carnival Troupe
And with that in mind, Margaret embarks on an entirely different volunteer project. Nottingham’s Independent Street used to have a notorious reputation for being unsafe. But resident Joy set up the carnival troupe to make sure her own six kids and their friends were kept off the street during the summer. Together with other residents and local mums, Joy and her volunteers are responsible for making costumes, choreographing the routines, keeping the kids in check and organising the carnival visits and performances across the UK. The troupe’s success has had a knock on effect on the whole street, which is now renowned for its carnival and the 70 young people who are now kept out of mischief. Joy will not allow the kids to take part unless they have a 100% percent attendance record at school and help with fundraising activities vital to keeping the troupe afloat. Margaret is completely overwhelmed by Joy’s achievements – all done on a shoestring from her own home which doubles as a canteen-come- costume making venue.
Tough decisions
But now that Margaret may have found some solid investments for her money, her next concern is how her actions will be perceived. Will they think that her offer of financial help is “crass” and that the money is real but the relationship was phony…? “I hope they see that they are both real” concludes the anxious American.
Intro | About Margaret | Margaret's Testimonial
