Volunteering has become part of Pat and Barry Cooper’s lives
The couple are never happier when they are helping at The Able Centre, a day centre run by Broadacres for adults with learning or physical disabilities, mental health issues and dementia.
They arrive like clockwork every Friday and spend the day playing dominos, crafting and chatting to the people who use the day centre.
At aged 77 and 78, respectively, you may expect Pat and Barry to be taking it easy during their retirement, but they like nothing better than getting out of their home and helping others.
They said:
“We’ve always enjoyed volunteering and coming to The Able Centre is one of the highlights of our week.
“It has become part of our life and we get far much more out of it than we put in.
“Spending the day with people who are so happy to see you and who are so friendly is amazing.
“Volunteering doesn’t need to be onerous. You can do as much or as little as you wish, but you need to try it.
“It gets you out of the house and keeps your body and mind active, so it’s just as good for you as it is for others.”
Lynn Tomkinson, Manager of The Able Centre, says:
“I have known Pat and Barry for over 20 years and they were the first people I turned to when I started working at The Able Centre.
“They help me in so many ways and I don’t know what I would do without them. The people who attend the centre love them to pieces.”
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