Our team members not only show kindness and care in their working lives with us but many also carry those qualities through to their private lives through fundraising and volunteering activities.
One of them is our associate director Helen Walker. Helen volunteers with Learning Disabilities Indoor Bowls, a UK-based organisation promoting competitive indoor bowls for people of all ages with learning disabilities.
The organisation holds an annual International Series (LDIBIS), and this year Helen had the honour of being the England flag bearer at the competition held in Falkirk recently.
Helen has been among the team of fabulous, hardworking volunteers at the LDIBIS for two years. She started volunteering as a way to give something back to the sport she loves, and finds it fun and rewarding.
She said: “Bowls has given me so much pleasure and I have made long-lasting friendships. I will continue as a volunteer with LDIBIS as long as I am asked to do so. I have always viewed that you should treat people equally and not to be judgemental and whatever your ability it should be encouraged.”
“Proud and emotional”
Last year, she worked as a volunteer welcoming people and selling merchandise and raffle tickets, while this year she helped with the scoring, which she absolutely loved.
But the highlight for her was being asked to carry the England flag to lead the team out at the start of the series. She said: “I was so proud and quite emotional about doing it.”
Helen, who has been playing bowls for 50 years and currently plays for clubs in Harrogate and Thirsk, has also played at both county and national level. She has been an English selector, the indoor Yorkshire president and next year will be the outdoor Yorkshire president. She has also mentored many young bowlers who have gone on to represent their country.
She added: “Volunteering for LDIBIS is absolutely wonderful and humbling. It’s so rewarding to see everyone enjoying themselves but being incredibly competitive wanting to win for their country.”
