Second Chance Heaven for Mavis at Local Charity Crest
Hard work and determination pays off, as evidenced by the journey of Mavis Eastwood, 58 from Colwyn Bay, who has recently gained employment at local charity Crest.
A mother of 3 to Kieran, Lauren and Angeline, Mavis struggled to find the right balance between working and caring at home. “I was a carer for my daughter, Angeline, before becoming a carer for my Mum who developed Alzheimer’s”, Mavis explains. “After a few years it became too much for Mum in the end so she had to go into a nursing home.”
Not only was finding a job a priority for Mavis, but finding the right work was important too. “I really wanted to do something that was worthwhile, something that made a difference. I also wanted a social life, something I didn’t have before when it was just me and the children.”
Feeling the need to take action, Mavis considered volunteering as her first option. “I went to the library in Colwyn Bay with my daughter Angeline and saw Crest were recruiting for volunteers.”, Mavis said. “Angeline started volunteering first and I popped in to her at the Crest community store to see how she was doing. Angeline was really enjoyed it so I said to myself ‘do you know what? I’d quite like to do something like this too’. And that’s how it all started!”
The timing of Mavis choosing to volunteer at Crest coincided with the global Coronavirus pandemic, only joining two weeks before the UK went into a national lockdown. However, that didn’t stop Mavis for long. “A few months after lockdown the Crest community store in Llandudno Junction was having a refurbishment.” Mavis confirmed. Crest’s team of volunteers helped out, at a social distance, to do some general cleaning and it was during this time that Mavis excelled. “We were disinfecting all the donations, sorting through the bric-a-brac and getting everything ready for the store reopening.”, Mavis continues. “Everyone was busy but it was lovely… I was in my element!”
So much so, it wasn’t long before the whole Eastwood family were volunteering at Crest; Angeline and Kieran chose to help out in the community store and Lauren chose to help out in the electrical reuse department. “We were so loud and noisy!” Mavis recalled. “It was lovely; we all have a good relationship with each other and have good banter. We just like to do things as a family and be together. I was really proud of them too; they’ve learned a lot in their time being at Crest.”
After a cleaning vacancy became available at Crest, Mavis plucked up the courage to apply. The only problem was, Mavis had never done a job interview before. “I never had a CV either!”, Mavis declared. “Steve, the Social Inclusion Manager at Crest supported me with that.”
Mavis was successful in her interview and started her job as a cleaner, a role that was partially funded by Menter Mon a not for profit company based in Llangefni. “They have been very supportive in my role”, Mavis stated. “They’ve invited me to do a variety of different courses which is not something I have normally done.”
The community store in Llandudno Junction is not the only place Crest have refurbished in recent times, with Mavis being based at The Ralph Higgins Reuse Hub on Pabo Lane Llandudno Junction. All of Crest’s reuse activities are sourced from ‘Ralph’s Hub’, from textiles to small electricals to large appliances such as fridge freezers and washing machines. “The cleaners are basically the end of the line when it comes to reusing white goods”, Mavis clarified. “After the machines are repaired and tested, we clean the items which include fridge freezers, washing machines dryers and cookers, and make them all nice and sparkly for customers to buy!”
So the journey continues for Mavis. “I felt really good, volunteering for Crest.”, Mavis remarked. “I felt like I had a purpose; it was somewhere to go where everyone was friendly and I met new people. It felt like a family. I loved what I was doing. It felt like belonging. It’s been very rewarding.”
Supporting people by giving work experience, volunteering opportunities and job prospects are at the heart of what Crest does for its local community. “It’s amazing being part of a well-functioning team.”, Mavis continued. “Being part of this team means that I’m being of use and 2then in turn it helps our community, by allowing people buy things they normally couldn’t afford.”
“Crest is a place of second chances.”, Mavis said. “I didn’t think at my age I’d get another job. I didn’t think I’d ever have a social life again. Crest just helps people; it’s certainly helped me, mentally and physically. People come to Crest and are helped no matter where they’re from or what their background is. It’s just a lovely place to be.”
To enquire more about volunteering at Crest contact Social Inclusion Manager Steve Pugh by emailing [email protected] or phoning 01492 596783. For more about Crest, the charity and how it supports the local community please go to www.crestcooperative.co.uk. For more information on Menter Mon please go to www.mentermon.com