Rebecca’s Volunteer Story

Rebecca Sinker

My name is Rebecca and I moved to Hastings with my partner and daughter five and a half years ago – living beside the sea was our long-held dream. I now work freelance as an arts and education consultant and project manager and also volunteer with the Refugee Buddy Project and with the Pocket Park near my home in Hughenden Road.

I became aware of the various mutual aid calls to help isolated and vulnerable people early in 2020, through HVA I think, and signed up during the first lockdown to help pick up shopping, deliver meds and do phone check-ins as needed.

I was aware of being in a lucky situation, having kept my job but now working from home (not commuting as I was before) and having a car I just wanted to help others who needed it, in the extraordinary situation of the pandemic

Initially I was  picking up shopping and meds and then, once the vaccine began being rolled out, I became one of the Roadrunners, taking people for their vaccination appointments.

Hastings is special – I noticed the community-minded actions and the volunteering culture from the first few weeks after my family moved here. It’s not a wealthy place, and there are considerable issues and challenges, but it is a place rich in heart and character where people really do look out for others and try to make things better. I’ve valued finding out about the wide network of volunteer projects in the area, and being part of that community.

I really enjoyed meeting a whole range of different people across Hastings, both those I was able to support and my fellow volunteers. When government policies or actions have let people down, or left people struggling, I’ve taken heart from the kindness and pragmatic action of people here.

I met some lovely people, including a courageous young woman who campaigns for a very rare condition – Aquagenic Pruritus – which is an allergy to water. And last week on the Refugee Week chatty bench by the seafront, we had some lovely conversations about the richness and variety of the Hastings community, including learning all about the surprising history of the pasty (Cornish, Welsh, Yorkshire – you name it) from a guy who has performed this history through dance!

What advice would you give to someone considering getting involved with volunteering for HEART?

It’s a great way to meet people and feel involved in your community. And you don’t need particular skills, except the ability to listen and keeping an open mind. Even a small amount of time can help – I worked full-time and home-schooled during lockdown but felt able to give a few hours here and there.

Has volunteering for HEART connected you to new things?

Yes, I discovered new areas of Hastings and St Leonards when I was a Roadrunner and I met Laura who manages the volunteers. Together she and I  were able to bring HEART into the creative actions for Refugee Week with the chatty bench, which was a great joint project on the seafront, in support of The Refugee Buddy Project and also supported by Goat Ledge.