Step Forward and Volunteer

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by John Oldham a member of Yeo Valley Lions.  John joins to tell us all about a very special project the club set-up and run which is a secure stay and play area, called Kingsmour Playground.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, we are joined by Trish Sail. Trish Sail is the Community Connections Co-ordinator for the Royal National Institute for the Blind in the South West of England. Trish joins the podcast to talk about her own experience of living with sight loss as she has an eye condition called uveitis which affects the inside of the eye originating in a part of the eye, called the uvea. Trish is no stranger to adventures and with her best friend, Cathie Rowe entered the Race Across the World screened by the BBC in the Spring of 2023.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode we are joined by Kiera Byland, a member of the Centennial 100 Champion Lions. Kiera is a double triple gold medallist, she has been awarded a British Empire Medal and joins us to talk to us on how she got involved in cycling, and what a positive difference it has made in her own life and to those she is coaching. Next we feature Llew Monger of Winslow Lions. Llew joins us to tell us about the North Bucks Bike Ride, the partnership approach with Winslow Wheelers Cycle Club and Furze Down School, and the organisation and preparation leading up to the big day.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, we are joined by Rhian Thomas and Elaine Maul from Ammanford Lions, mosaic artist Dani Lee, and community member and poet Melissa Lewis. They join us to talk about a stunning mural in Ammanford made by the hands and hearts of 50 local volunteers and Lions members. The mural was commissioned by Ammanford Lions to mark 50 years of supporting the town funded by a £5,000 National Lottery grant. Next, we hear from Rhian Thomas and Elaine Maul recalling how they stepped forward and joined Ammanford Lions.  

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, we hear from the Past International President of Lions International and Chair of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Douglas Alexander of Brooklyn, New York City who is speaking with Mandy Broadbent. Douglas Alexander explains the important work of the Foundation, some of the challenges being faced by local communities following a humanitarian disaster, and the impact local Lions members have in responding. Followed by a conversation with Ron Lindsay from Tickhill and District Lions in South Yorkshire who joins us to talk about how the club raises funds to support the community and how they’ve joined forces with neighbouring clubs to apply for matching grants from the Lions Clubs International Foundation to increase the Lions support for very local worthy causes.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, Brian Langton from Earl Shilton and Barwell Lions joins us to talk all about Community Radio Stations, followed by some hints and tips that you may find useful in preparing to be interviewed on your local station.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, Mel Watson from Hornsea and District Lions talks about how the club has financially supported their primary schools by purchasing defibrillators, providing training for teachers on their use, and much more. Next, we hear from Michael Gardiner of Bungay Lions about organising and planning their Classic Vehicle Rally and Country Fayre in the grounds of Earsham Hall, a fun day for all the family.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this episode, Melanie Davenport from Highworth and District Lions talks about how members of her club together with the invaluable support from members of the community and businesses renovated their Lions charity shop, and all within a three week timescale. Next, we hear from Vijay Arora of Stanmore Lions Club on planning and organising of their annual youth party. A fun filled event for hundreds of young people with a range of abilities, all coming together to celebrate with their carers and family members.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. This episode is a little different in its format, as we’re taking a step back to listen and recall a few highlights from the first twelve months of the ‘Step Forward and Volunteer’ podcast. A big thank you to you our listeners – if you are not already a member, and would like to make a difference in your community by volunteering, fund-raising, organising projects, using your talents, gaining new skills, making friends, and having fun – why not join us? Don’t wait to be asked, step forward and get involved. Call Lions Clubs British Isles on 0121 441 4544, send an email to enquiries@lionsclubs.co or use the form on the website – that’s www.lionsclubs.co  

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this latest podcast, we hear from Neil Smith, a member of Calne Lions who tells us about the refurbishment, or should I say re-building of their Santa Sleigh. Following months of dedication and hard work it has been very worthwhile to see the reaction of the public when the new Santa Sleigh took to the streets of Calne. ‘tis the season for busy lions. Many lions clubs organise Christmas parties for young people and those young at heart.  Whilst others collect and distribute hampers, helping those that are homeless and families in need. Christmas is a year-round activity for Lions clubs, as we have just heard.  From keeping Santa’s fleet of sleighs in tip-top condition to collecting toys for children who otherwise would not receive any gifts, Lions members are always thinking ahead.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this latest podcast, we hear from Fiona Reilly, a member of Horley Lions.  Last year, Horley Lions set up Warm over Winter campaign working in partnership with a range of organisations to support families who are struggling, due to the rise in food and fuel costs.  We also feature John May from the Bert Mason Internet Lions who has been actively working on the Lichfield and District Talking Newspapers for 41 years.  John talks about what this vital service means for those that are blind and visually impaired.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this latest podcast, we hear from John Milner from Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville Lions.  Each year, Ashby Statutes Fair is opened for a pre-arranged morning free of charge due to the generosity of Anthony Harris, the fair owner for the lions club, especially to bring children and adults with a range of abilities and their carers.  We also feature Tim Clark from Yateley Lions whose making a difference by supporting the ‘Get Ahead’ campaign for a local charity.  Harry’s Hat, as it is known has been set up to support families with children that have hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information, and discussion about local community volunteering.  Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this latest podcast, Paul Allaway from Guernsey Lions talks about an imaginative idea the club has come up with working in partnership to encourage families to explore the outdoors through the creation of a woodland creatures trail.  We also hear from Tracey Field of Chelmsford Lions who joins to tell us why she stepped forward to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham during the Summer.

In this episode of Step Forward and Volunteer we welcome Richard Allen, president of Budleigh Salterton Lions, and Lynda Burns of Dalbeattie & District Lions. Richard gives us an insider's view on organising Budleigh's annual Gala Week and its popular pebble-building contest, while Lynda recounts Lions' efforts in her part of rural south-west Scotland to refurbish and maintain much-loved memorial benches along the Jubilee Path between the coastal villages of Rockcliffe and Kippford.

This month's Step Forward and Volunteer welcomes Andy Ansell and Mark Ellis from the National Memorial Arboretum, who give us a great insight into the importance of volunteers to the operation of the UK's magnificent monument to remembrance. We also meet Ann Vickers, otherwise known as Lenny the Lion to her fellow members at Basingstoke Lions, who takes us behind the scenes of ten years entertaining crowds as the club's lovable mascot.

In the latest episode of Step Forward and Volunteer, we welcome Nigel Perry of Knaresborough Lions to take us behind the scenes of the 2022 Great Knaresborough Bed Race, one of the biggest and most exciting Lions-organised events around and returning for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. We also check in with the inspirational education programme Lions Roar.

In the latest episode of Step Forward and Volunteer, we welcome Radu Cristea from the Lions Club of Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania in Romania to talk about setting up a shelter for Ukrainian refugees and also travelling into Ukraine by road to deliver humanitarian aid. Following on, Serhii Denisenko, a member of Kyiv Lions, explains how aid is being coordinated and distributed in Ukraine with the support of Lions Clubs across the globe.

In the latest episode of Step Forward and Volunteer, we welcome Pam Edwards, Sue Saunders and Sharon Webb from Bexhill Lions. They have created green fairy trails in local woodlands, with this fun idea helping children learn about protecting the environment. We also hear all about the Lion’s Den, a community shed in Keighley, West Yorkshire, which has provided a space for individuals to come together, talk, create, have fun and reduce loneliness and isolation.

In the latest episode of Step Forward and Volunteer, we speak with Nurse Sophie from Marie Curie. Over the last 10 years, Lions has helped raise close to £975,000 for the charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal, and Sophie shares her experiences of providing care and support for people affected by terminal illness. We also hear all about the Pirbright Nurture Farm, a community project supported by Guildford Lions, with Michael Eagle and Dan Smith telling the story. Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond.

Step Forward and Volunteer is a monthly podcast from Lions Clubs British Isles featuring stories, information and discussion about local community volunteering. Through conversations with inspirational guests, Step Forward and Volunteer celebrates the positive difference volunteering makes to communities across the British Isles and beyond. In this latest episode, we speak with 2021 Young Ambassador award winner for Lions Clubs British Isles Ellie-Mae Banks. Ellie-Mae discusses the Young Ambassador programme and what young people can gain from volunteering in their communities. We also hear from Cynthia Lines, who opens her beautiful garden in Leicestershire to the public to raise funds for local charities with the support of fellow Hinckley and Burbage Lions.