I want to be part of charity’s work

Name: Frances Daws- Burgess. How did you become a volunteer?: I saw an advert on Age UK Cheshire East Volunteers Facebook page about opportunities to volunteer so I made contact with Age UK Cheshire East. What do you enjoy most about your role there?: There’s a real sense of community and investment, and you are able to see how you are giving back to the community and helping to make a change in people’s lives. I chose Age UK Cheshire East because I think the work that they do is fantastic and I wanted to be part of that. What has been your most memorable/ funniest moment while you have been volunteering?: During my first time volunteering with AUKCE at the ‘Big Chin Wag’ outside the Macclesfield charity shop and I turned around to see all the helium balloons floating away. What/where is your favourite place in Macclesfield?: Macclesfield Forest as it’s so tranquil and peaceful away from the chaos of everyday life. Ideally how would you spend every day?: Working on events big or small, creating a happy environment and a sense of community for everyone

What was the best holiday you have been on?: With a youth group to an outdoor activity centre on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. We did lots of activities such as abseiling and kayaking. It is such a beautiful place. If money were no object what would you do?: Put an end to poverty worldwide and research cures for diseases. I would ensure that if I could no-one would ‘go without’ and obviously I’d take a couple of holidays and buy some new clothes. What one piece of advice would you give?: Never give up, nothing worth having gets handed to you on a plate, if you want something go and get it. What was your first job?: Accommodation assistant at my university, giving tours around the accommodation on open days. What is on your CD / MP3 player?: Mostly stuff like Green Day, Foo Fighters, Neck Deep, You Me at Six, All Time Low etc. What is your favourite TV show?: How I met Your Mother. What are you reading at the moment?: I’m reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower. What is your biggest inspiration?: My mum, because she has shown me that I can achieve anything I want if I put my mind to it. Who would you like to invite to dinner?: The Queen because I think she is really cute, members of the band All Time Low, Dave Grohl, Nelson Mandela, Neil Patrick Harris, Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson and Miranda Hart. What does Age UK do: As a local charity, Age UK Cheshire East supports people aged 50+, their families and carers in the borough of Cheshire East through the provision of high quality practical and emotional support. We provide 21 services supporting 11,000+ older people per annum. With more than half the local population of Cheshire East now over the age of 50, the organisation has never been busier. Our mission is to improve later life for vulnerable, isolated older people in our community, offering advice, information, advocacy, friendship, practical support and activities to support health and well-being and continued independence. Every penny that we raise is spent locally on a wide range of services that make later life more fulfilling for older people in Cheshire East.