International Volunteer Day

Volunteering brings new horizons for Wahid Nasir

International Volunteer Day is held annually today, 5 December. Organised by the United Nations, this day shines a spotlight on the incredible efforts of volunteers who dedicate their time to enhancing the communities they live in and safeguarding the environment. VfL is honoured and grateful to receive the invaluable support of committed volunteers. Their dedication is instrumental in advancing our mission to improve diets, promote healthy living, and provide expert advice for older vegans and vegetarians.

We recently spoke with long-standing volunteer Wahid Nasir to explore his decade-long journey with the charity.

What inspired you to start volunteering with VfL?

Ten years ago, I was looking to get back into work and needed some support. Job clubs didn’t quite meet my needs, but volunteering turned out to be incredibly beneficial. Initially, I focused on various administrative tasks – helping with large mailings for VfL’s care home directory members, managing stationery, handling hefty deliveries of publications, and collecting post. Creating a routine and re-establishing good time-keeping habits were major benefits. Volunteering gave me the motivation I needed, and it played a crucial role in my return to full-time work 6 years ago. I continue to volunteer around my paid job and would contribute even more if I had the time.

How has volunteering impacted you beyond work?

Volunteering has greatly enhanced my communication skills. Following a challenging experience, I struggled with socialising. Through volunteering, I gradually started to engage more, meeting and talking with people. Now, I work at an airport where I frequently interact with passengers, a role I feel well-prepared for thanks to my volunteering experiences.

What were your initial expectations of volunteering?

I was a bit apprehensive at first, unsure of what to expect. However, it must have gone well since I’m still here 10 years later! I’ve witnessed the charity’s growth first-hand. When I started, VfL had no office and operated solely with home workers. I’ve seen VfL move into its first small office space in Manchester and watched the team expand over the years.

Can you tell us about your decision to become vegetarian?

I stopped eating meat in the early 1980s. My family ate meat at the time, but I started feeling ill whenever I ate it, so my brother and I decided to give it up. Now, I enjoy meals like chana daal and chapatis.

What motivates you to support this charity in particular?

Looking to the future, I’m 61 and expect to retire within the next decade. If possible, I hope to continue supporting the charity even after retirement. I sometimes worry about future care needs and whether I’d be able to advocate for my dietary preferences if conditions like dementia arise. That’s where the charity’s work is crucial. When I handle the charity’s post, I think about the smiles generated by letters in VfL’s pen-pal and phone-pal scheme, or the impact of postal donations that keep the charity’s work going. Volunteering has opened new horizons for me, provided extra companionship, and made me feel truly valued.

If you would like to support V for Life by becoming a volunteer, visit the Friends of VfL webpage here. You can also contact info@vegetarianforlife.org.uk, or call us on 0161 257 0887.