Having overcome adversity herself, project manager at the West Way Day Centre, Sheila Jenson decided to create a happy place at the social day centre. After a car accident left Sheila with mobility problems, doctors warned her that she would no longer be able to continue her job in child care.

Refusing to call time on her career, she answered an advertisement that called for pet owners to volunteer for the Pets as Therapy charity.

Through volunteering Sheila was offered a paid position, which led to her being offered the project manager role at the day centre.

The day centre runs on Mondays and Fridays from 10am-3pm and offers a range of activities and lunch for elderly residents and those in the early stages of dementia. When joining, her philosophy was to organise activities that her members requested and would enjoy.

Sheila said: “It’s their day centre and we make sure it’s organised how they want it. Many of them have dementia and need stimulation so we try to tailor activities to accommodate this. But ultimately it’s the group’s decision.”

When a local radio station put out a call for listeners to inform them of the happiest workplace in the county, Sheila wasted no time in calling them up and found the day centre nominated as one of the happiest places to work.

Along with employee Cherie Sear and volunteer Val Kemmett, the team really have created the blueprint for a happy workplace and the group echoed this opinion.

Val began volunteering at the day centre five years ago after her previous job as a wheels-on-meals delivery person ended. She said: “My previous role ended and I was invited to volunteer at the centre. Within minutes of coming here I knew I would enjoy it. The people are great and there are so many characters. It also gives me great satisfaction being here. It’s a case of what you put in you get twice as much back.” Evelyn Beardshaw, who has been visiting the centre for eight years, said: “Coming to the day centre is the highlight of my week. For many of us living alone, it can be very lonely and coming here is so enjoyable. The staff organise great activities and nothing’s too much trouble for them.”

Sheila is keen to recruit more volunteers to increase the bliss at the centre. She said: “There is scope for short-term volunteers to join us, whether they want to read poetry, play music or get involved with craft activities. Also, we are interested in volunteers with researching skills and a fundraising background.”

Anybody interested in volunteering with the centre can contact OCVA Volunteer Centre Manager Lindsay Watts at lindsay.watts@ocva.org.uk

  • If you wish to contribute to this column, email Oxfordshire Voluntary Action at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk