Volunteering for Discovery in the 90s!
Discovery was founded way back in 1966 and over the years we have made an impact on many lives in the community. Recently we have been in touch with a volunteer from the 90’s. We conducted an interview with the volunteer to find out what Discovery was like back then.
What was Discovery like back when you volunteered?
“I volunteered between 1992 and 1995, time has gone fast since then I did a lot of work with the FAB project and taking adults out in the community. It was very active and there were a few hundred volunteers. I am not sure if there was even a website back then and if it was it would have been basic. We did a lot of advertising through paper-based posters and the evening post.”
What is your favourite memory of Discovery
“At the end of my second year, we had a social trip to Ireland with all the volunteers. We caught the ferry, went camping, it was a funny trip with loads of sing songs in the minibus, you could tell if the minibus in front was having a sing song because the whole bus would be swaying.”
“There was also a day trip to bath with the FAB club which was very fun. We had Hop it Christmas parties, this was a crazy couple of hours with kids running around, the smoke alarm boxes would have to be turned off, so the fire alarms were not set off during the party. That was always a crazy event but great fun”
Have you had any lasting relationships with volunteers?
“I made some really good friends with Discovery I still speak to my executive and other members. I am still in contact with a few volunteers and have been friends with them over the years.”
Did your time at Discovery have any impact on your career path?
“After university I went into a career in I.T, my time with Discovery certainly helped me to get a job. I was able to talk about all the things I had done with Discovery in job interviews. I stayed in touch with Discovery and was a non-student trustee for several years. It made volunteering a natural thing, so I have continued to volunteer, I took a career break and spent 6 months working with a charity in Africa doing youth and kids work, so the volunteering stayed with me.”
Chris Howes – Discovery Volunteer 1992-1995
