Wahid Nasir

Wahid is one of our wonderful volunteers (or Friends as we call them). Here we celebrate Wahid's story and explore his decade-long journey with the charity, in his own words.

"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.

"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."

When asked what motivates him to support this charity in particular, Wahid told us, "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- and phone-pals 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."