YOUR COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR
Name: Paul Gott. Role: Community Navigator.
How did you enter this
role?: When the post was advertised by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS I felt it was a great opportunity to help more people within the community who are unable to leave their home due to a variety of reasons but, more so, social isolation.
What are you responsi
ble for?: My role involves me visiting people in their homes, or at a place they feel comfortable with, to get to know them better and then support them in accessing activities within the community. To do this, our team at CVS maintain an extensive database of local groups, organisations and activities within Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.
What do you most enjoy
about this role?: Meeting new people and making a difference for the better within their lives is both enjoyable and rewarding for me.
What have been your highlights so far while
doing this?: The highlight to date is helping a client to get out of her house, join in with a group and she is now helping others to do the same – this is all in a six-month period. What is your favourite place in Accrington?: The Town Hall ballroom with a good band playing.
Ideally how would you
spend every day?: Every day needs to be a mixture of enjoyable work, rest and play with good food and good company.
If money were no object
what would you do?: I would do what I do now but as a volunteer.
What one piece of advice
would you give?: Try new things in life, you just might enjoy them and if not, at least you can say you tried it. What was your first job?: Selling fruit and veg on Blackpool Market on Saturdays and school holidays, followed by 22 years in the Army. What is on your CD /
MP3 player?: An eclectic mixture from Pink Floyd to the Sex Pistols. What is your favourite TV show?: Broadchurch. What are you reading at the moment?: Practical Caravanning magazine.
Who would you like to
invite to dinner?: My family and friends as I enjoy cooking for others. If you would like more details of the Community Navigator scheme, including if you wish to become a volunteer, please have a look at our website, www.hrvcvs.org.uk or telephone 01254 888614 and speak to the team.