Genesis Trust offers new beginnings and better futures to homeless and vulnerable people in our community. Volunteers are a big part of our interlinked projects and are essential to the support we offer our guests.

Nick Crook volunteers weekly at Genesis Life Projects supporting the staff and guests. He also helps organise the Genesis Trust Boules Team. We want to introduce you to him.

How did you get involved with Genesis Trust?

I cannot remember how I heard about Genesis, but I remember going to St John’s one day and meeting Denise Weikart and Matt Prescott, both Life Skill Facilitators. They were just about to start a men’s group and I helped Matt with it. Boules was one of the activities and one evening Chris Garratt walked through Queen Square and invited us to join the league.

Why did you begin volunteering?

I had just retired and did not want to become isolated from society. Having lived a fairly free and easy life doing much as I pleased, I cannot begin to understand how difficult life must be if constrained by mental health issues, substance addiction or homelessness.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Genesis Trust?

I enjoy all the different parts in different ways. There has not been a role that I have not benefitted from in some way as well as helping. It gives me contact with guests and other volunteers so it keeps me physically and mentally active.

What have you seen during your time as a volunteer?

I have seen guests gaining self-confidence. The boules teams for example not only play better but organise themselves better. Some members of the team have much longer attention spans than at the start. And during the art class you could hear a pin drop because they are so engrossed in their work.

I think that any minor task is important. For example, if I make the tea and coffee then someone more qualified in available to lead a group or help a guest.

Thank you, Nick, for all your support!