Meet Peta, one of our dedicated practical support volunteers who lends a helping hand to families supported by Demelza. Read how she fits volunteering into her life and why she chooses to give up her time.

Peta is a busy mum who currently works in HR for three days a week. Around caring for her children and her paid work, she decided to look for a way to spend her other two days to help those in need. Peta applied to be a volunteer during Covid-19 as she believed she could use her skills to help families at Demelza.

“Being a mum, I know how precious your time is when your life is made easier. When I saw there was practical support for helping people with things like cleaning, I thought that was the best way I could offer my time,” said Peta.

Peta’s role involves dusting, hoovering and all things cleaning at the homes of some of our families. Sometimes she will sort a particular room or do a general clean. She sees just how much the families value the support and helps to reassure them when their household jobs become too much to cope with.

“When you have hoovered or cleaned a room, you see how much they appreciate what you have done and know you have allowed them to spend more time with their child.

“You cannot take the pressure or stress away from having a poorly child, but it is the satisfaction that you are trying to make their life a little bit easier which makes it worthwhile.”

Peta enjoys volunteering and says it has improved her confidence. She wants her children to learn from her volunteering and see all the good that it brings.

“I like keeping busy and when I was growing up my dad did some charity work, and since losing him it has been my way of helping people. I want my children to see the world we live in is not always about taking, you have to give as well. They are in a lucky position and some families are not, so trying to make them aware that helping others is important.”

Find out how you can make a difference as a volunteer today!