By Jill Stocks
A dedicated Horsforth volunteer this week celebrated her 80th birthday. But still didn’t take the day off!
Jenny Guest celebrated her birthday on Tuesday by volunteering her time to work at the MHA Communities Horsforth Tuesday Bacon Butty Club, and even brought sweets to hand round to everyone as part of the celebrations.
But the Bacon Butty Club is only one of the MHA Horsforth projects that Jenny is involved in.
Katherine Sharp, Community Coordinator for MHA Communities Horsforth, told WLD how loved Jenny is by staff and regulars, who all joined in a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday for her, as well as bringing cards and gifts.
Katherine said: “Jenny has volunteered with us for a few years and she helps us out on a Tuesday, when she will go on the minibus and go and pick up people who can’t get here otherwise, and she will look after them, take all their orders on the bus. Then she will come and help serve all the bacon butties as well.
“On a Wednesday she helps with the craft group. She makes sure everyone is happy and comfortable and welcomed.
“She is one of our prominent volunteers that we really love having as part of our team.”
Jenny started volunteering almost three years ago, and will celebrate her third volunteering anniversary in July. She began volunteering after her husband passed away and says it has helped her immensely dealing with the loss which affected her deeply.
“I love it. I don’t treat anybody differently. I treat everybody the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re infirm or not infirm, if you can’t see, I will do anything to help.”
Having originally been in touch with the organisation after making enquiries on behalf of her husband the organisation stayed in touch with her and she attended a bereavement group briefly before being asked to volunteer.
“I’d got to the stage where “what’s the point”. I’d been with my Geoff for over fifty years. But you can’t rely on anyone but yourself in the end.”
MHA Communities Horsforth run a variety of activities across the week including the very popular Bacon Butty Club on Tuesday mornings and craft group on Wednesdays.
There are also sorts of events going on including singing and dancing afternoons and weekly walking groups. All over 55’s are welcome to join in.