'The first time I phoned Ann Marie, we spoke for an hour!'

After being furloughed, Charlotte wanted to give something back so took the opportunity to volunteer for Age UK Barnet as a volunteer shopper - and she very quickly bonded with one of her clients Ann Marie. 

'I have two clients. One is a more straightforward arrangement where I shop a couple of times a week for a man who is unable to leave his house and we have a lovely socially distanced chat at his door.

'My relationship with Ann Marie is a bit different. The first time I phoned Ann Marie we got on like a house on fire – talking for the best part of an hour!  As I live so locally to Ann Marie, I run a variety of errands for her throughout the week such as posting letters and picking up essentials from the shops.

'When we first met, Ann Marie told me about the charity she set up, 28 Too Many which does incredible work to help stop FMG in the countries in Africa where it is practised, and across the diaspora worldwide. 

'I was immediately interested in the work she does and wanted to know how I could use my marketing background to help with fundraising. She has since introduced me to her wider team and I am very excited to be working with another marketing volunteer to design and implement a fundraising campaign for them.  I am now doing a volunteer role within another volunteer role….

'Not only am I helping a fantastic cause, I also get to use my brain and keep myself occupied with a project while work is closed.'

What else do you get out of volunteering?

It is just lovely to know I am helping people out. I am very close to my grandparents (I lived with them for a year while saving for my first property) and I hate to think of them having to put themselves at risk to get the shopping – or feeling lonely with no one to talk to.  It also gets me out the house and gives me sense of purpose at a time when everything is upside down!