Volunteer Spotlight on... Debbie!

Debbie has been volunteering at Healthy Minds since 2019 and has been a true ambassador of our aims and values. We are so lucky to have found her! She co-facilitates the Elland support group, leads a monthly Walk for Wellbeing in Sowerby Bridge, is a Telephone befriender and pitches in at practically every fundraising event that we do! She is a true star. 

Debbie is married with one son who is currently working in Australia.  She retired after 20 years in Secondary Education in 2021. Besides volunteering, Debbie enjoys
being in nature, walking, digging and planting on her allotment in Halifax. She has completed several art courses including drawing, lino and Tetrapak printing and has recently completed a course in creative writing and poetry. She is enjoying having a go at both of these by trying to relate them to nature and being outside, despite the weather! 

We caught up with Debbie to learn more about what makes her tick. Have a read!​

Describe yourself in three words:
Fun, competitive, organised!

What would your superpower be?
Invisibility cloak

Likes:
Reading, writing, walking, art.

Dislikes:
Lastminute.com!

Who is your hero/heroine?
Barbara Hepworth - born in Wakefield, her art just amazes me.
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Favourite place:
The East Coast, especially Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby where I can be found chasing waves, or sketching on rock with a cup of coffee close at hand.

What’s the best thing about volunteering at Healthy Minds?
The best thing about volunteering at Healthy Minds is it's fun, rewarding, you are part of an amazing team of volunteers who are friendly and really welcoming and all the staff are really supportive and I feel appreciate what the volunteers do.

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What Healthy Minds says:

Debbie is an amazing, confident and committed volunteer who gives her all. She has the ability to help people feel at ease and nurtured. She is a team player and a real asset for the Like Minds Team, her peers and the whole of the HM community!

Debbie Is just amazing- so committed & caring. Lovely to work with.

Debbie is one of those people which every community needs. She holds a steady determination for change, combined with a deep empathy and understanding of the struggles of others, she is an unstoppable force for good at Healthy Minds.

Debbie's ability to empower others is one of her greatest gifts to Healthy Minds. She encourages every team member, whether a volunteer or staff member, to believe that they can achieve more than they even realise. Her uplifting words of reassurance have a huge impact on the energy of whatever group she is working with, and you always know she will be cheering you on.

Debbie is also honest, she will strip back to the truth of a matter and reveal the underlying needs of a person or group to make positive change. She 'says it how it is', always followed by a passion for doing something about it.

Debbie understands the importance of dignity, respect and celebrating our achievements. She understands the strength of lived experience and the power of working collaboratively. She helps you keep your chin up when things are tough and shows you how to be proud of yourself and your community.

Heartening, motivating, compassionate... Debbie embodies and lives the foundational values of Healthy Minds. She is truly an example to us all and I thank her for continuing to inspire me by her unwavering commitment to creating a better world.

I have worked with Debs as a fellow volunteer and as a member of staff and can wholeheartedly say that she is absolutely wonderful, so organized, very reliable and a genuine​ly lovely person. Everyone should have a Debs in their lives!

Debbie has a genuinely beautiful soul.

Debbie is always ready to step in and help with any of our fundraising activities. She is an absolute star! So reliable and always friendly and helpful.
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Want to join our team of volunteers?

Click here to view our vacancies now.
Or, get in touch with Cath - cath@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk