I joined the Catholic Church in 2006 from a lifetime of atheism. I had at that time been volunteering in conservation and countryside management for over 25 years and continued while assuming minor roles in our parish until the onset of covid in 2020. It was at this time that I started working with Liz Wills from Caritas distributing food parcels to needy families in the local area. When we were approached with the idea of operating a Pantry I got involved in setting it up and when it opened I took on the role of meeter/ greeter and refreshment maker.
In contrast to my former years of volunteering I was now working directly with people, most of whom are financially or socially disadvantaged. This experience, particularly meeting refugees and asylum seekers, has led to a much greater awareness and insight into the challenges faced by my ‘neighbours’ in daily life. In these circumstances I can try to fully live the gospel values taught by Jesus eg embracing love of poor and overlooked and accepting the stranger. My faith is strengthened by the knowledge of the good that can be achieved by living these values and by evangelising through good works.
I find the relationship I enjoy with our members and with the wonderful team of volunteers very rewarding and affirming of goodness and grace which is around us. Working with the team rewards me personally with friendship and support in my own life, we are a family. And of course I have found friendship with the people we serve.
We hear some heart wrenching stories, everyone whom we serve faces difficulties in their lives but it is good to know that in some small way we can help by offering a listening ear and sometimes give practical advice and assistance.
It is always good to hear of some positive changes in someone’s life, particularly for example when asylum seekers obtain a visa and a home to move into where they can start the long journey of settling into life in a new country. These are people of great resilience and determination who, despite the challenges ahead of them I’m sure will flourish in their new lives and bring much to our country.
In summary I have found in this work a new sense of purpose and belonging in my retirement years and would say that I receive more than I give.
David volunteers with the Hitchin Pantry, which is an initiative of Caritas Westminster. Find out more here. He has recently won a Caring Award with the ‘North Herts Heroes 2025,’ for his support of isolated individuals over the past three years. Watch a video of David and the rest of the Hitchin Pantry team in action here.
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