14/04/2025
Please Volunteer!
On a sunny April Saturday, I'm out and about for a few hours in Petersfield on a mobility scooter to try and encourage people to volunteer. We desperately need volunteers at the Shopmobility Charity I volunteer with ~ the small shop opposite Waitrose in the Carpark. We hire out scooters and wheelchairs at very reasonable rates. To draw attention to myself, I made a strong bracket to fit a large flag/banner on the back of the scooter. Unfortunately, the banner says, 'For Hire'. So guess what, rather than asking for volunteers, people think I'm trying to get them to hire a scooter. Before I have a chance to say anything, they often jibe wittily, 'Do you come with the hire?!'
This is the first time I've done this and it's quite an experience. As a scooter user, you soon realise just how lumpy and bumpy the ride can be. The pavements, cobblestones, drop kerbs and ramp ways are so unforgiving, double-vision and backache are inevitable. Also, you notice how small and vulnerable you feel and how some people act as if you're invisible, or that you're in their way and you should stop or go round them. On the upside, I actually received more smiles and pleasantries than I've ever had on foot before in Petersfield! OK so some of that was from sheer amusement, but it did seem to bring out the best in a lot of people. Funny comments too. For instance, 'Cor blimey look, a sail-powered mobility scooter!' and also, 'You look as though you're on the start grid of a grand-prix mate!' No matter what they said, it was always a good ‘opener’ for me to get my piece in about volunteering and to hand them a leaflet.
Soon after I arrived, I saw someone I recognised from the gym, a man walking brisquely back to his car after shopping, so I sped after him to say hello. He was a bit taken aback to see me fully-flagged pulling up alongside. Nice chat, nice bloke but it turned out, as many folks told me, he was still a full-time working person. Like them, he didn't have the 3 hours to spare we were asking for, even though it was just once a week, morning or afternoon, not at the weekend. In his case, he said he was too busy with business and looking after his wife's horses. So very Petersfield! I will never look at anyone in the gym again without pause for thought. 'Anyway', I added, 'Please spread the word', and of course they always say they will.
Later I took a break and met my wife for coffee in the market square. One of the stall-holders was close by so I ventured, 'Excuse me, do you have any spare time when you're not doing this?' Big mistake! He could see what I meant, but immediately launched into a never-ending story of his life and times. Went on and on with hardly a breath or pause as if he'd never stop and this didn't give me or my wife ~ who'd dropped by to offer support ~ any time at all to chat about the scooter adventure at hand! We couldn't believe what just happened.
Extricating ourselves at last from the story teller, who I think carried on oblivious of the fact we’d left, I rode mostly up and down the precinct occasionally parking at either end to catch people's eye as they went by. 'Scuse me, may I speak to you for a moment?' Everyone said yes graciously (that is unless, they were a 'Bit busy at the moment.... have to dash!' Or, 'You're so kind' they say, 'but I've got to....umm... you know....'). I was surprised to find how many visitors to Petersfield had come from quite far away and therefore weren’t really volunteer material. Good to chat anyway. One lady was house and dog sitting for a local friend, so there was a useful connection there. I even met the Chairman of a different Charity based elsewhere. He had just moved to Petersfield, asked my name and was very interested to swap notes on the running of our respective Charities and share how difficult it is to get volunteers. 'Well, here's one way!' I said, scooter bound..... 'Hopefully!'
And people I hadn't seen for ages ~ that was so nice. 'Wish you still ran those mindfulness courses ~ we miss you!' one said. And ah yes, being mindful in everyday life. This whole experience of riding around is mindful for me. There's so much to be aware of, to hear, feel and see. Including astonishingly, a man lying flat on his back with his shoes and socks off in what I think you'd call the 'co**se' pose. Everyone walked by giving him a wide berth. 'Is he dead?' A lady said playfully. 'Not sure', I replied, 'Hope not'. (Actually, on sunny days I’ve seen him do the exact same thing in the exact same place, putting his begging hat out for good measure).
To round off my trip, on the off-chance, I called in to Rams Walk management centre to see if they could help promote our cause a bit more. As I went in, a lady was leaving to put up some posters. Perfect timing! I gave her two of ours, which she was happy to display in their glass-fronted cabinets. Anything to get the word out and to be honest, people can't mess with your poster if it's locked in a glass cabinet.
What did I learn? Well, for one thing I think we should invest in another banner which says, 'Please Volunteer!' instead of 'For Hire'. Secondly, watch out for low-hanging trees and overhanging shop fronts and especially remember to remove the banner when putting the scooter back in the shop. I forgot this and after switching the vehicle off and dismounting, I pushed it through the open door, getting the shock of my life as the front wheels inexplicably came off the ground in a wheelie ~ obviously because the top of the way-too-tall banner wedged itself in the doorway! 😂
All in all, the day was a great experience for me and naturally I have no idea if any new volunteers will come forward as a result. It’s largely a matter of serendipity, hope and persistence but well worth a repeat I’d say. That is of course…. unless….
I wouldn't have to, if you or someone you know might like to volunteer.
Please volunteer!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Colin Eveleigh
Trustee Petersfield Shopmobility
Registered Charity Number 1055307
07811 234162
www.shopmobility.net
