Dear LPG, 

Have you noticed how important numbers are in this world these days?  There are only ten of them in our decimal orientated world and, at our age, if we don’t know them by now we are in trouble, but so many aspects of our world are dictated to by the order in which you put them.

I want to say a word or two on behalf of all those people who run clubs, churches, workshops and day centres designed to enhance the lives of us older lot. So many volunteers have given up their time to sort out such organisations over the years and, post pandemic, as a person who is involved in the administration of one, I think I can talk for many volunteers when I say that the worst thing you can do is see the numbers that matter dwindle; that is the number of people who benefit from what you are trying to do. 

We have all been forced to get lazy when it comes to getting out and about after two years of going nowhere, but your club or day centre really needs you.  The success of any organisation is dictated by the number of people they support, the number of people involved or the number of people who attend or benefit from whichever activity they offer, so please don’t think that if you don’t bother to go, keep in touch or do your little bit of volunteering you won’t be missed. 

The gap in operations that Covid-19 forced on so many charities and voluntary organisations, has forced us to lose quite a few while others are still struggling to get back to the place where they were before it all happened.

So if you think that they won’t miss you if you don’t go this week, be assured that they will.  

Attending your club or being part of that zoom video call is so important and I know from personal experience that it is often the thought of having to get on the bus or walk in colder, windier or wet weather (as opposed to staying in the warm, putting your feet up and having a day off), which sometimes feels so much more appealing even though you know you will be better for going once you have made the journey.

So the next morning that you feel that even if you do go to that church, class, day centre, workshop or meeting it won’t make much difference, please remember that it will.  It is the people who attend that keep the club going.  

Being a part of any organisation, even the people they cater for is so important.   Just like in the big corporate companies these days, how many people a voluntary organisation or charity are seen to be helping makes all the difference.  Especially when it comes to getting funding to carry on their work.

AP, Bellingham