Volunteers' Week 2023

Volunteers' Week is always a great opportunity to recognise the contribution that all of our fantastic volunteers make towards helping deaf people leave loneliness behind and reconnect with life through our personalised services and incredible dogs. We are so lucky, and thankful, to have such a devout network of volunteers who we fondly refer to as our ‘volunteer family’.

To celebrate Volunteers' Week 2023 we wanted to highlight our Front of House volunteer team at The Grange Restaurant, Saunderton. Launched in 2018, The Grange Restaurant supports the charity by raising awareness of our work and providing an excellent spot for hearing dog partnerships, volunteers, staff, donors and the general public to meet. 

We have an incredible team of 50 volunteers who give their time, on a weekly basis to support The Grange staff with the smooth running of our beautiful restaurant. Our Front of House volunteers are a constant source of strength for one another, and truly the ‘family within the family’ here at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. 

Every day this week, we’ll be sharing a story from a member of #TeamBurgundy, telling tales of unity, camaraderie, and friendship. Tune in daily to keep up-to-date with the latest…

Angela Brazier - Front of House Manager and staff volunteer; Charity Support Dog fosterer & Training from Home volunteer

The time has come to wrap up Volunteers Week 2023! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading stories from various members of our incredible front of house volunteer team. It seemed fitting to round things off with a few words from Front of House Manager, Angela Brazier, who coordinates this wonderful group of volunteers as well as being a volunteer for the Charity herself!

“My journey with Hearing Dogs began nearly 10 years ago when I returned from living in the Middle East. I happened to speak to some volunteers at my son’s school Christmas Fayre where Hearing Dogs had a stand. Signing up as a Training from Home volunteer seemed like the perfect thing to do to keep me busy whilst I wasn’t working. It wasn’t long after I signed up that I was asked to look after and help train a lovely blue roan Cocker Spaniel called Tinker.

Not long after that I started volunteering in the Volunteering Team office for a few hours a week, helping to process new applications – which at that stage were still all on paper! A year later a job came available in the same office which I was delighted to apply for and that’s how I became a member of staff”. 

As a staff member, Angela was able to continue volunteering in our training from home scheme, looking after many more spaniels, until she took on Rona, her 10^th hearing dog…

“Rona came to stay with me for her advanced training to become a hearing dog, it was decided that Rona would be more suited to a slightly different role – Ambassador Dog – and I was asked if I’d like to foster her on a long-term basis.

Rona is a perfect ambassador for the Charity - she loves people and is particularly good at meeting and greeting. When I’m on reception, she provides a warm, welcoming, wagging tail for any visitors and she is a great distraction for hearing dog applicants who might be a bit nervous coming for their assessment day. She also promotes the charity alongside my role as Front of House Manager, she’s there when inducting new volunteers or talking to customers in the Grange who’d like to know more about our dogs and would like to meet a hearing dog. Rona is also, always on hand for photoshoots and schmoozing at charity events – any requests should be put in writing please to her agent!”

What exactly is it that has kept Angela with Hearing Dogs for 10 years? “It's wonderful to be able to work alongside a fantastic group of volunteers in The Grange Restaurant, the time they give to keep The Grange running smoothly is invaluable. I am so thankful to them. As for my own volunteering; it gives me the feel-good factor that I am giving something back, and helping a charity that is very close to my heart. There is also the added bonus that my volunteering role is all about dogs – what’s not to like!”

Anne Burton - Front of house support volunteer

Anne has volunteered in The Grange Restaurant for two years, joining us in 2021 and she is a proud advocate of volunteering. Naturally, dog lovers are in abundance at Hearing Dogs, and Anne is certainly no exception as a doting mum to the lovely Pippin, her pet dog “Pippin is a a beautiful Working Cocker Spaniel – typical of her breed she is friendly, mischievous, energetic, loving, determined and generally full of joy. I am always showing gratuitous pictures of her….”

Having worked with volunteers in her professional career, Anne was keen to become one herself when she retired. “Since working at Community Impact Bucks (the local Volunteer Centre), I have been fully sold on the idea of volunteering and the huge benefits that it can bring to individuals, charities, and the wider society. Community Impact Bucks often held their work meetings in The Grange Restaurant, and I’d met and chatted to Front of House volunteers, so when I took early retirement I knew that I wanted to volunteer there myself. Plus, I absolutely adore dogs and appreciate the great work that Hearing Dogs for Deaf People do, and I wanted to help the Charity in some way.”

“My first impressions were totally positive. Everybody was friendly and welcoming, and Alison (see Alison’s story below!) showed me the ropes and helped me settle in immediately. I’m not sure, however, what sort of first impression I made – it was a busy shift and my old shoes started falling apart!”

“What I love most about the role is the opportunity to meet and chat to new people and say hello to all the gorgeous dogs! I especially love talking to customers about my volunteering role and about the work of Hearing Dogs. We are always busy in our role as front of house volunteers, you’re never left twiddling your thumbs, and I really do feel we are making a positive contribution. I’ve also made so many lovely new friends and we enjoy regular get-togethers outside work.”

Although Anne enjoys all aspects of her volunteering role, there is much more of the Hearing Dogs world to enjoy, “A favourite memory is coming on a Hearing Dogs tour with my mum recently – it was great to see behind-the-scenes at The Grange, and the demonstration at the end of the tour was fantastic!”

Debbie Vallis - Front of house support volunteer 

Debbie is another one of our ‘originals’ – joining the Front of House volunteer team when The Grange Restaurant first opened in 2018.

“Before I retired, I worked at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and my daily commute took me straight past Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, so I was aware of the site for quite a while without really knowing much about the organisation. A friend of mine then started puppy training for the Charity, training four pups; Jo, Nero, Mango and Cooper, so through them I found out more about the Charity.”

Debbie is no stranger to volunteering, having volunteered for a variety of organisations since childhood, we are very lucky that Debbie generously chose to give Hearing Dogs her time in her retirement. “I knew I wanted to continue volunteering in some capacity when I retired, and being a huge dog lover, Hearing Dogs seemed like a good fit.  I work one shift a week and I love it, it fits so well into my life. It’s so flexible I can add extra hours if it’s needed, and I also have the opportunity to help out at events. I have met many different people, made friends and learnt more about this wonderful charity.”

One thing is certain, no day in The Grange Restaurant is the same, and Debbie is always happy to help wherever she can. “As well as my usual role meeting and greeting customers, there’s always something going on that the staff might need support with; from clearing storage areas, setting up refreshments for meetings for the office staff, making Christmas decorations, printing and photocopying to pot washing, all these little jobs help keep the big wheels turning so I'm more than happy to get stuck in!

Hearing Dogs is a great place to volunteer for anyone who enjoys meeting people and dogs. From tiny new puppies to Great Danes, the Grange is perfect. There is a real sense of achievement when your customers are seated, served and happy. The dogs themselves know they are welcome, and you can feel their excitement when they enter and patiently wait for their little pot of treats!”  

Linda Duke & Chloe Townsend - Front of house & Retail support volunteers

Chloe Townsend and Linda Duke both met whilst volunteering at The Grange Restaurant in Saunderton. Over the past two years, they have developed a strong friendship that has extended way beyond their charity support.

Chloe joined The Grange Restaurant as a volunteer over three years ago following an accident. She needed ongoing therapy and felt that working front of house at The Grange was a step in the right direction. Linda joined as a volunteer about a year later, after her husband sadly passed away.

Both ladies were searching for something social, where they could meet new people and interact with others, but they also wanted a sense of making a difference and doing something worthwhile. Their role at The Grange involves welcoming new and regular customers, serving food and drinks and clearing tables. They are often asked about the charity and can share wonderful insights and stories about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and their life-changing work with clever dogs and personal support services.  They particularly enjoy meeting the regular customers, who appreciate the time taken to ask about their wellbeing.

While they feel the role, Front of House, sounds quite grand, they explain that “they are essentially volunteer waitresses”. However, all our volunteers are critical to the success of The Grange and our ability to make a surplus to donate to the Charity. Without them, we could not function. They give their time for free to greet customers and ensure they enjoy their meal. Volunteers are incredibly important to us at Hearing Dogs, but it works both ways: our volunteers love being part of our big, extended ‘family’.  

The wider team Chloe and Linda work beside are friendly, and they have all developed a good rapport. Chloe says, “Between the two of us, we have developed a very good friendship, and we regularly meet up for a glass of wine outside our volunteering. We’re really keen to extend this to the other restaurant volunteers, meeting up at The Grange initially, and hopefully this will then lead to further meetings.” After the isolation many people felt during lockdown, the connection Chloe and Linda have forged has provided a real boost to their lives.

Rob Harrison - Front of house support volunteer

Rob is one of our newest members to the front of house volunteer team, joining us in February 2023, he has settled in seemingly effortlessly.

“Although I had seen the signs on the main road past Hearing Dogs over the 36 years we have lived in Princes Risborough, the first time I had any dealings with the Charity was when we were asked to contribute to a Christmas fundraiser for a family member. As a result, I started getting the newsletter and learnt more about what the charity does.

When I retired, I was looking for something new to do and I felt that volunteering my time at The Grange Restaurant for Hearing Dogs was a good solution to keeping active and meeting people. The entire process of applying to volunteer with Hearing Dogs was excellent. I am so impressed with the charity’s volunteer programme in terms of both its efficiency and the fact it makes you feel welcome and values the time you commit to actually volunteering.”

“The front of house team was also so welcoming – from the Volunteer Coordinators' induction session, through to all the people when working on shift. I felt immediately welcomed by volunteers, the students doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award and the catering staff. The job is interesting as you get to do a variety of things and you really feel like you are contributing to the customers having a great experience on their visit.”

“When I first signed up, I was made aware that shifts would only be 3 hours, due to the fact you’re on your feet all the time, so you get a good deal of steps in – I can vouch for that! I certainly felt it on the first few shifts! The fact the restaurant is dog-friendly is such a perk and most of the dogs we get in are very well behaved! It’s a particular highlight to meet some of the hearing dogs when their owners or volunteers come in for a coffee or food – it’s a wonderful reminder as to why we are all here.”

To anyone who may be considering becoming a part of the Hearing Dogs’ family, Rob says: “Do it now! You will get to work with a friendly team and contribute to helping Deaf People have a better, less isolated, and lonely life.”

Alison McKenzie - Front of house support volunteer

Alison has been volunteering in The Grange Restaurant for four years after a spinal injury meant she had to stop her full-time job as a neonatal nurse.

“I was a neonatal intensive care nurse for 34 years, which as you can imagine was stressful and hard work. The shifts were 12 hours long, I was practically on my knees at the end of every day. Then, I had an accident and broke my spine in three places. Although my recovery was successful, I couldn’t do the long shifts in the hospital anymore. I found myself with a lot of spare time and volunteering in The Grange seemed like the perfect option as it’s sociable, flexible and for such a worthwhile cause.”

Alison is so committed to her voluntary role with Hearing Dogs, that she undertakes a 25 mile commute every week to attend her shift; “I love it here. I have made close friends with other volunteers. We have an online group chat where we stay in touch and regularly go out for lunch. I’ve even had the opportunity to help puppy sitting one of the newest litters of pups!”

Alison couldn’t speak more highly of her role as front of house support volunteer. She lights up when talking about her team-mates as well as the regular customers – human and dogs alike! When ask what makes her role so enjoyable, Alison has no doubt: “The people!”.

Debra Dinnage – Front of house support, Charity support dog fosterer, short term dog care volunteer & fundraiser

Debra has been at the forefront of the action as a Front of House Support volunteer since day one…literally! Debra was a member of the original volunteer team when The Grange Restaurant first opened in 2018. Now, five years on, she’s still loving it! “There’s been a lot of people who come and go over the years, but still many of the same team from the start, and we’ve got to know each other really well. It can be hard work, but it’s worth it – the satisfaction of doing something to help others and raise awareness for Hearing Dogs and the work they do is the best feeling.”

Not only is Debra one of our longest standing Front of house support volunteers, but she also generously gives her time to the charity in many other ways: “I started at Hearing Dogs by sponsoring one of the gorgeous puppies, then when I retired, I thought I could give a bit more, so, I registered as a Volunteer Puppy Trainer and started training a Labrador called Nelson, who is now out working. Second pup, Jasmine, a beautiful golden Spaniel, had her challenges, but we had amazing support from our dog trainer and Jasmine has now become a hearing dog mum and had three litters for the Charity. I still get to see her and it’s so wonderful to be able to meet her puppies too! Now, I am lucky enough to foster the handsome Valour, who is an Ambassador dog.” 

What exactly has kept Debra coming back every week for the past five years? “The people. Everyone is so nice; I have some good friends now who I would never have met if it wasn’t for volunteering.”