The Power of Volunteering by Jane Shallard- Volunteer Oxygen Operator

I am a Volunteer Oxygen Operator here at The Brightwell. Here is my story about how this volunteering role has had a massive impact on my life.

I was born in Hartcliffe, Bristol, in April 1962 at home and grew up in a loving and nurturing home with my two sisters, Mum and Dad. My childhood memories were so wonderful, and it was a very happy time.

Back then, Hartcliffe was the largest housing estate in Europe. Despite its reputation in later years, my family have always enjoyed living there and has not experienced any problems.

I attended Whitehouse Primary School, then Hartcliffe Comprehensive, which at the time was the biggest school in the UK, with 2,500 pupils on roll. Although I didn’t enjoy going to school, I had a great group of friends and successfully left with six O Levels to my name.

In 1979, at age 17, I applied for my first job with Avon County Council as a Payroll Clerk, a job I really loved and stayed there for years.

I met my husband and soulmate, Dave, in March 1979, and we were married in September of the same year.  We knew each other before working together, but it was frowned upon to be in a relationship with someone at the same workplace, so we were discouraged from drawing attention to ourselves. It was a very different time back then!

Our first house together was in Longwell Green, then Kingswood, which I still live in today. At age 40, Dave was diagnosed with a rare heart condition called Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM). He worked from home, still for Avon CC, after his diagnosis. Working from home is not at all unusual these days, but then it was very rare and we had a huge computer installed at home for Dave!

 I stopped working at the same time to look after him, and then he sadly passed 5 years later. He was the loveliest and funniest man, and we spent 16 wonderful years together. I still miss him dearly.

Following Dave’s death, the next few years were very difficult for me, and I struggled with grief a lot, but this hard time has made me the person I am today and made me much stronger as a result.

Much of my life can be described as “light and shade” and even some dark times. Being with my family and Dave brought immense joy to my life, but I have also dealt with some very tough challenges.

I was with my second partner for 11 years; unfortunately, this was not a happy part of my life, as elements of the relationship were quite toxic and unhealthy for my well-being.

 However, he lived with  MS, and that’s how I became aware of The Brightwell. Again, as often happens in life, something positive came from a negative situation.

 I started volunteering there just before  COVID in 2019. The staff and members are what make The Brightwell so special, and I have made so many close and special friends.

I enjoy seeing members each Thursday in the Oxygen Suite; they know it is a safe space where they feel listened to and valued as an individual. I have benefitted tremendously from volunteering; I enjoy it so much and am committed to the twice-yearly training.

I  have often felt like I don’t have a specific talent or skill, but I found something that I am genuinely good at through volunteering at The Brightwell. I feel that I can offer genuine empathy and understanding to people because of what I have gone through. I can offer care and support to members, which is so important.

In my personal time, I love to dress up in fancy dress, and at Christmas, every Thursday, members expect me to wear ‘festive headwear’.

The animals in my life have always meant so much to me. I have had many pets over the years, and Dolly, my Lurcher, who I have had for 8 years now, is crazy and very funny, and I don’t know what I would do without her.

In my leisure time, I love walking Dolly and being in nature. I’m a keen crafter too. Love to be with my friends socialising, and even happier if fancy dress is involved!

If you see me around the Centre, please come and say hello, and I hope you have enjoyed finding out more about me. Maybe volunteering might be for you, too!

Love and Best Wishes

Jane.