Local MP And Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab Becomes Whiteley’s Latest Volunteer Recruit
The Whiteley Homes Trust welcomed VIP volunteer, Dominic Raab MP, who joined their team to help highlight the work of its charity in supporting low income, vulnerable older people in Surrey, during national Volunteers’ Week.
This week, as part of national Volunteers’ Week 2021 (1-7 June), The Whiteley Homes Trust has been celebrating our amazing volunteers who do so much to support the work of our charity here at Whiteley Village. The team were delighted to be joined by an extra special volunteer recruit- Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab, local MP (Esher and Walton), Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State.
Mr Raab joined staff and volunteers preparing and delivering fish and chips to residents in our cottages and Huntley House extra care centre, including 96-year-old war veteran Roy Lavender, who talked briefly about his experience of fighting in Normandy after D-Day – the 77th anniversary of which is celebrated on Sunday (6th June).
Director of Care and Community, Kevin Humphrys said: “We’re really proud of the work our charity does for older people on low incomes and our brilliant volunteers are right at the heart of it. We were very grateful to Mr Raab for visiting us today and for the time he took to chat to people. Fish & Chip Friday is hugely popular at Whiteley and was a perfect opportunity to show how our volunteers work side by side with our staff. It was great to see him get involved – filling up the fish and chip boxes, and a lovely surprise for our residents to have a VIP delivery too!”
Whiteley Clubhouse Manager, Sylvie Izzard said: “It was great to meet Dominic today and for the team to have their hard work and commitment recognised and appreciated. Before the pandemic we only served hot meals from the Clubhouse, but when lockdown started the Trust had to close all its public facilities. To make sure we could keep supporting residents, we had to set up a new meals-on-wheels service, which delivered a daily hot meal to any Whiteley resident who needed one. It proved so popular that we’re still running the service today. Our staff supported deliveries initially, but it would not have been possible to continue without the dedication of our fantastic team of volunteers.”
Dominic Raab said: “It was great to mark Volunteers’ Week by delivering fish & chips to residents at Whiteley Village. There’s a fantastic community spirit here, and I enjoyed meeting the residents and staff, hearing their stories and experiences. Thank you to Whiteley Village for inviting me, and to all the local volunteers who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.”
