Our Heroes: 'By being involved you feel wanted'

COMMUNITY group Bentilee Volunteers has been serving its neighbourhood for almost 23 years.

It was set up by then Stoke-on-Trent City Council worker Janet Mason following a meeting of 12 people who wanted to improve the estate.

Now the charity employs 22 people and has 70 volunteers working from Willfield Community Education Centre, in Lauder Place North, Bentilee.

Its services include a charity shop, a second-hand furniture shop and a neighbourlink service which tries to stop pensioners feeling vulnerable.

Day trips are also organised for pensioners to enjoy a change of scenery and fresh air.

Group chairman Janet said: "We're a great team and we love it whether we get paid or not. And that's quite unusual in this day and age."

The group also runs the YC Club for 11 to 25-year-olds, standing for youth club or your choice depending on personal preference.

It has a computer room and puts on art classes, cookery lessons and music classes.

YouthLink co-ordinator Jane Sutton said: "I've seen a massive growth in the confidence and self-esteem of some of our young people.

"One of them just growled at me when I first met him, but he now always says please and thank you. It can be frustrating as gaining their trust is a long, slow process. But it's very rewarding when we do."

In addition the group also puts on a Rainbows club for over-25s with learning difficulties. Up to 80 members go on day trips or take part in activities at the centre. And residents aged between 55 and 98 look forward to a lunch club which meets three times a week with a game of bingo thrown in too.

Community support worker and administrator Lynne Marshall added: "Some of the feedback we get is quite touching.

"The older people really look forward to our lunch club and for many of them it's the only way they get out to see people."

Now one of the volunteers has been so impressed by its work that he has nominated the group for an Our Heroes award in the community group of the year category.

Shop volunteer Eric Ecclestone, aged 76, said: "I started going to the lunch clubs seven years ago.

"I was 69 and thought I was too young for them. But I soon made lots of good friends of all ages. Being involved with Bentilee Volunteers makes you feel needed and wanted. I can't imagine not being part of it."

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