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Volunteers

I’m retired and I started as a volunteer with CLASP in 2022 after seeing the members at the Bradbury Centre - where I was having coffee with friends!
I spoke to Debs, started as a volunteer and have never looked back. I was thrown in at the deep end, CLASP was just starting rehearsals for their show at the Whitty theatre but loved being a Volunteer right from the start.
The highlight so far has been the show, but all the sessions CLASP run gives so much to the members, support, the varied activities and allowing the members voices to be heard.

Celia Needham

Volunteer - Coffee Shop, Take Notice & Choir

I first got involved with CLASP to help out with choir, which I then led for a few years. I now volunteer as required for various outside functions to help our hardworking team but am still deputy choir leader, which is enormous fun and the best job in the house !

David Raeside

Volunteer - Choir

I have recently retired from Wokingham's library service when I ran a monthly book corner for CLASP members. I really enjoyed the sessions and got to know many members very well. I want to continue to support CLASP during my retirement, it's a very important and worthwhile charity and I'm keen to get involved in several of their activities going forward.
I particularly want to help with the choir as I love singing.
My hobbies are reading and attending book groups, singing, writing stories, visiting gardens and fine dining.

Heather Dyson

Volunteer - Take Notice & Choir

I joined CLASP to help lead the CLASP choir and I am so glad I did, I enjoy every minute of it! I have been involved in amateur dramatics for over 20 years and love to share my passion for singing and dancing with everyone who comes to our choir. It’s such a joy to hear everyone sing, see them dance and have fun with their friends! I have grown up helping to care for my sister who has learning disabilities and I am glad to help such a worthwhile charity like CLASP. I have a wonderful husband and 2 children, who keep me very busy when I’m not singing and dancing!!

Helen Eastwood

Volunteer - Choir

My name is Jan Weller and I joined CLASP as a volunteer after attending Wokingham volunteers day about two years ago. My main career was in Personnel/Human Resources at Sotheby’s auctioneers but I’ve also worked as a Secretary, Administrator and book-keeper.
I usually help at the Tuesday coffee shop and Friday Take Notice sessions and choir. I find it rewarding coming to the sessions and seeing the members enjoy the activities, meet other people and learn new skills and learn about local services and projects.
I live in Hurst and have 2 (grown-up) children and enjoy walking, spending time with family and friends, animals, music, singing and art.

Jan Weller

Volunteer - Coffee Shop, Take Notice & Choir

I first joined Rose Buddies in 2015, after losing my husband. Volunteering was therapeutic, giving me a reason to get up in the morning and I enjoyed the sense of purpose it gave me.

As well as volunteering at what was Rose Buddies, and now CLASP, where I run the Active Session, Movie Mates and helping at special events certainly keeps me busy alongside my volunteering at a local church.

I love volunteering with CLASP, finding it very rewarding, especially when being a part of a member’s journey, seeing them increase in confidence and learning new skills. I even get to do new things myself, including recently going bowling for the first time!

Jean Taylor

Volunteer - Active Session & Movie Mates

I retired after a long career with the NHS and many years of working with people with LD. I heard about CLASP whilst volunteering during Covid and after meeting with Debs knew that I wanted to offer my time. The members are a great group to spend time with and I get as much from them as I hope they get from me.
I go to Tuesday coffee shop, Take Notice on a Friday and as many of the special events and occasions as I can.
I also see members on a one-to-one basis when they need a little more support. This can be for a variety of reasons. Sometimes practical, such as completing official paperwork, support to visit banks, hospital appointments etc. Often just to talk through events or situations that they may have found difficult or caused them anxiety and to help them find strategies to manage similar scenarios more positively in the future.

Karen Cosh

Volunteer - Coffee Shop, Take Notice and short term projects

I first joined CLASP in 2023 upon retirement, as a helper, following a career in the finance industry.
Looking to combine my love of the outdoors with helping the local community, I established a gardening club for the charity. At the end of the gardening season, I became a full volunteer and now help with the outside activity sessions, as well as the gardening club.
I have lived in Wokingham with my wife, for nearly 30 years, raising two daughters. I enjoy, travelling, the theatre, walking and of course gardening.

Pete Evans

Volunteer - Gardening Club & Active Session

I am a retired teacher with two grown up children.
I am one of the leaders of a toddler group at Woosehill Church where I help to run the craft activities for the children. It was there that I met Anna when she came along to the group with her son. She invited me to become a volunteer at CLASP, helping at the weekly craft club.
I was made to feel very welcome and now enjoy being part of the CLASP family where everyone is valued and respected and there is a great deal of fun to be had.

Sue Youle

Volunteer - Craft Club

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