We meet long-term volunteer Del, who takes on many roles at the rehoming centre and beyond.
Please tell us a little bit about your life outside of BCDH
I retired from working in a debt recovery environment eight and a half years ago. I now enjoy meeting up with family and friends and going on lovely holidays!
How long have you been volunteering at BCDH?
I started volunteering eight years ago as a dog walker.
What do you do here?
Apart from dog walking I am also trained to be with the puppies, so I help to teach puppies social skills and basic commands. I also help with the laundry and donation sorting. I am also a member of the Bath Community Fundraising Group and am so proud of the money that we have raised for the animals in the Home via craft fayres, pub quizzes and other fundraising events.
Why did you want to volunteer for BCDH?
Animals have always played a large part in my life and to volunteer at BCDH seemed a natural progression when I retired. Dog walking not only keeps me fit but the reward of seeing the dogs enjoying their walks and adapting to their hopefully short stay in the rehoming centre is very satisfying.
What do you most enjoy about volunteering?
The joy of spending time walking the dogs and meeting members of the public who are always interested in learning more about both the dogs and the Home is very rewarding. To interact with the puppies is just a dream come true, who would not enjoy spending time with puppies!
What would you like to say to anyone considering volunteering for BCDH?
The role of volunteer can take as much time as you wish to give – I personally started as a dog walker but that soon led to volunteering in other areas such as laundry, puppy training and sorting donations. A role I have been involved with for the past 3 years is fundraising for BCDH, helping to organise craft fayres, pub quizzes, wine and cheese evenings. These events have given me the opportunity to help raise the profile of BCDH to people who know little to nothing about this wonderful charity.