We are proud to celebrate and share the inspiring stories of our volunteers. Nicky recently reached the amazing milestone of ten years of volunteering with VOCAL.
Nicky is a peer mentor for VOCAL, offering support to other carers who are navigating challenging circumstances. Our peer mentors provide a listening ear, encouragement and reassurance. Often, we know that hearing from someone who’s been there, makes a huge difference.
Now blissfully retired – in her words! – Nicky is a proud parent to three adult children and grandparent to six grandchildren, aged between 10¾ and 25! Nicky’s journey with VOCAL has been shaped by personal experiences of both caring and being cared for.
“I was a part-time carer for my dad,” she explained. “I didn’t really think of myself as a carer – more a daughter returning the care and love he gave me. My dad supported me after my husband’s sudden death, and again years later when I was receiving breast cancer treatment. I saw caring for him as my way of giving back.”
For Nicky, she was experiencing a particularly challenging time, juggling full-time work while supporting her daughter with her new baby and caring for her dad as his Parkinson’s Disease progressed.
“I was feeling stretched in all directions – like the jam in the sandwich,” she recalled. “My GP recommended I contact VOCAL. Asking for support wasn’t easy as I’m very independent, but I’m so glad I did.”
That initial contact with VOCAL not only provided her with vital support, but also marked the beginning of Nicky’s journey as a volunteer.
Over the past ten years, she has connected with countless carers, each with their own unique challenges and stories. “I’ve met the most amazing carers. They all do such incredible work, though many doubt themselves and feel like they’re failing. But they’re not. My message to all carers is ‘you’re doing your very best, and that’s everything’.”
One memory that particularly stands out for Nicky involved supporting a carer whose partner had a terminal illness. They were navigating end-of-life decisions and asked her about her own experiences:
“I shared how my dad wanted a jazz band at his funeral, and how we worked with the funeral director to make it happen. He was played up the crematorium drive to ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’ It was beautiful.
“I hope that carer was able to create the farewell they hoped for.”
Reflecting on a decade of volunteering, Nicky finds it hard to measure her impact but we know that she has made a big difference to many carers: “If I’ve helped even one person through a tough time, that’s enough. The hugs at the end – that’s when you know.”
For anyone thinking about volunteering, her advice is simple: “Just DO IT! You’ll get all the training you need, and the experience is inspiring and humbling.”
Thank you for 10 years of incredible support Nicky!
