Read about Rod Chamber's volunteer experience with HEY Mind and how it's improved his wellbeing, in his own words:

When I retired from full time work in 2021 (after 43 years!), I very quickly realised how much my mental health and wellbeing had been in a good place when working with others, meeting people, having routine and feeling valued in some way. 

My mental health hadn't always been great, and I had a few episodes in my working life when I suffered severe stress and anxiety. 

When leaving full time work, I started to feel quite anxious and devalued, and sometimes in a very sad place, so I thought about the things that were important to my wellbeing when I was working (and it certainly wasn't the money!).

Volunteering was my chosen path, and having done it for just over a year I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

The main benefits have been: making new friends, keeping busy, helping others, feeling valued, having routine, having a reason to get out of the house and socialise, feel like you are making a difference to others, boosting confidence and above all, I feel healthy both physically and mentally.