Helping Others, Finding Purpose and Changing Lives

As part of Volunteers’ Week 2026, we are celebrating the incredible people who give their time, skills and kindness to support our community. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Coniston Community Centre. They help local people to feel connected, supported and valued.

Mandy’s Story

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“My name is Mandy. I am retired and volunteer with Coniston Connect, a service that started two years ago at Coniston Community Centre.

Coniston Connect brings older people together each week to chat, play games, take part in gentle exercise and enjoy a two-course lunch. As a volunteer, I do a little bit of everything, from serving lunch to encouraging people to join the activities and have good conversations. I also learn so much from the people we support.

My volunteering journey started during the Covid pandemic when I volunteered at a food bank. Someone told me about Coniston Connect and asked if I could help.

Since then, I have loved getting to know the members and working alongside the other volunteers. They are a lovely group of people. It feels a bit like being at work again, but without the pressure. Volunteering gets me out into the real world. It gives me something positive to focus on and stops me from overthinking or worrying about myself.

As we get older, being part of a community becomes even more important. At Coniston Connect, we share information, help one another and pass on skills. Whether it is filling-in online forms or booking a GP appointment, the digital world can sometimes feel overwhelming. Together, we help each other work through these challenges.

One member of the group had been isolated and largely housebound for six years. Now, every week they look forward to joining Coniston Connect. They have started knitting again and moved closer to the community centre so they can attend using their walking aid. We also supported them to access their Covid vaccinations. Coniston Connect has given them a new lease of life.

If you are thinking about volunteering, I would encourage you to give it a go. Be honest about what you can offer and how much time you can commit, so that volunteering remains enjoyable and rewarding. You will never get bored. It gives you purpose, confidence and a great reason to leave the house.”

Could You Make a Difference?

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Coniston Community Centre is always looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support:

• our Coniston Connect service for older people
• our community café
• our Board of Trustees, where additional skills and expertise can help shape the future of the charity

Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn new skills, boost your confidence and make a real difference in your community.

To find out more or apply, please contact us

A community project in Patchway, is helping older residents feel less alone and more connected. Based at Coniston Community Centre, “Coniston Connects” was set up after the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people found it harder to get out and socialise.

Many people in Patchway often face more day-to-day challenges compared to the rest of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. After the pandemic, the staff and Trustees at Coniston Community Centre noticed that many older residents were staying at home. Local GPs were seeing more patients struggling with loneliness. This project was born to help change that.

With funding from St Monica’s Trust, the aim was simple: help older people rebuild confidence and enjoy being part of their community again.

Early conversations showed that two things were stopping people from coming out – transport and the cost of meals. So, Coniston Community Centre introduced low-cost lunches and helped arrange transport to and from the centre.

Since starting in June 2024, the project has grown quickly. The Tuesday sessions are now full, with up to thirty people attending each week. Because of this success, a second session has now been added on Thursdays.

There is something for everyone. Fitness sessions are a big favourite, including gentle seated Tai Chi and “Strong & Steady” classes to help with balance. Others enjoy arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles, games, or just sitting with a cup of tea and a chat. A home-cooked lunch, including a vegetarian option, is served each day, followed by dessert, which many look forward to.

The atmosphere is warm, friendly and relaxed. A big part of this comes from the volunteers, who greet people as they arrive, serve food and drinks, and spend time chatting to make sure everyone feels included. They also help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Transport is another key part of the project. A local minibus service (Four Towns & Vale Link Transport) offers door-to-door journeys, making it possible for people who might otherwise stay at home to come along and join in.

The difference it is making is clear. Many people say they feel happier, more confident and less isolated. Friendships have formed, and some now meet up outside the sessions or take part in other activities together.

There are some powerful personal stories too. Sue, who once felt deeply low and isolated, now joins in with activities and has made new friends. Elizabeth, who had not left her home for years, now joins regularly and enjoys being part of conversations. Others say they feel they have a reason to get up and go out again.

Despite rising cost, the centre tries its best to keep prices low with thanks to the kind support of funders, which includes St Monica’s Trust and the Quartet Foundation.

Looking ahead, there are plans to add more activities, including ones focused on health and staying active. For now, “Coniston Connects” is doing something simple but important. It gives local people a place to meet, share a meal, enjoy some activities together and feel part of their community again.

To find out more, please contact Coniston Community Centre on:

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Our long-standing chair, and since February 2023, deputy chair at Coniston Community Centre, passed away on Tuesday 28 November 2023 at Southmead Hospital. Lew’s funeral took place at St Chads Church. The same church where Lew married his wife of 70 years. Aged 96, Lew fell asleep with all his family around him.  As you may know, Lew was an amazing man. Chairman of Patchway Parish and then Town Council for almost thirty years. A Councillor since the swinging 60s.  Lew was enthusiastic about Patchway’s twinning links with France and Germany, where he referred to himself as “the Old Grey Mare”. 

Lew was having lunch at Coniston Community Centre a week before his hospital admission, laughing and chatting as always. Lew was accompanied by his “girlfriends” who always joined him for a meal every other week, while listening to the sixties band on Music Monday.

Only a few hours before Lew passed away, Lew asked his daughter in law to send his apologies for our next Trustees meeting at Coniston Community Centre. Still thinking of others and honouring his commitments and duties until his last moments. 

Trustee, David Sully, said, “I can’t remember Lew missing a meeting, which happened rarely. I admired Lew’s dedication, knowledge, experience and professionalism, but always with a twinkle in his eye. Lew never hesitated in giving away presents dressed as Father Christmas. Our community was always in Lew’s heart and mind.”

Trustee, Win Willams said, “Lew really was an asset to Patchway and not afraid to fight many good causes.  He will be a sad loss.”

Trustee, Eve Orpen, first met Lew during the mid-eighties at a Regional Trade Union Council meeting in Bridgewater. After introducing himself, Lew learnt that Eve also lived in Patchway. She never caught public transport again. And they travelled together as far as Penzance. Eve mentioned how Lew saw the funnier side of things, with his cheeky wink.

We will miss you forever, your legacy will live on and rest in peace.