A COMMUNITY GROUP is not only changing the lives of its service users, but also its workforce.
Helping Hand volunteer Lorraine Smith, who once struggled to muster the courage to leave her house, has flourished into one of Shinfield’s brightest stars.
She is now helping others come out of their shell and gain access to any help they need, particularly crediting organisers Sarah O’Neill and Rachel Walker.
Lorraine said: “They’re Shinfield’s superheroes, they really are. Without these ladies, I would still be sitting behind my front door not going out or doing anything.
“It’s been amazing. I can come out, talk to people and be in big crowds. I’m just a different person. They’ve changed my life, 200% definitely.”
The School Green resident was encouraged to volunteer with Helping Hand just over a year ago, shortly after it was launched.
She described feeling hesitant at first and even remembered her hands shaking at the thought of being surrounded by so many people. But the Shinfield resident has only gone from strength to strength and is now a vital member of the team.
Helping Hand organises a weekly foodshare, carries out essential tasks for those in need and signposts service users to advice and practical help.The majority of the group’s activity takes place at Shinfield Community Church.
As a talented creator, Lorraine has made Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day and birthdays extra special for members of the community through themed homemade cakes and cards.
“I know what it feels like not to have birthday cakes or Mother’s Day cards,” she explained.
“A lot of people are single, so they might not get a card, so I just make them at home and the arts and crafts keep me busy.”
Organiser Rachel said: “Getting involved builds up your self-esteem, no doubt. Seeing it and watching other people socialise, it does build you up because you start to think that you can do it too. It gives you so much confidence.”
This renewed self-belief has led to Lorraine becoming one of the administrators on the Shinfield Community Facebook page, which boasts more than 7,000 members.
Sarah added: “Lorraine has a real gift for really seeing people. There was a lady on Facebook who had said she had not left her house properly for years until she met Lorraine at the community cafe.
“She saw her and saw the pain she was in at the time and really connected with her. It was amazing.”
Lorraine also described handling a request from a resident struggling to replace a broken freezer. Thanks to a grant from Wokingham United Charities, Helping Hand were able to source a new one within a week.
Things have truly come full circle for Lorraine, who is now empowering those who are in the position she was once in.
Through her role, she has asked people to reach out to her over the phone, or even chat one-to-one on the steps of the church if they feel uncomfortable coming in.
She was full of praise for Helping Hand, saying: “Our community is so grateful for them. People are always asking who they need to go to for this, that and the other and they [Helping Hand] sorts them out.
“It’s just like a map, SHARE and the church are in the middle, and there are so many amazing things going on around it. Without Helping Hand, a lot of people would be without what they have now.”
Lorraine wants to continue encouraging others to break free from their inhibitions and to come along to visit the group.
“It is daunting and it can be very frightening,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I’m living proof that they can do it. If I can do it, anyone can.
“It’s true when they say that SHARE is a family. We’ve got each other’s backs and that’s all that matters. I’ve never had someone have my back before until this.”
