Three years ago, Chris took a step that would quietly begin to transform his life. Now a regular volunteer at Plungington Community Centre’s Café and Food Club, Chris gives his time every week to help others, but he’ll be the first to tell you how much it’s helped him too.

“I think it’s been about three years,” he says, reflecting on when he first started. “It was just before the pandemic hit. I’d just come out of rehab, was living in supported housing, and I had no direction. I needed something to do with my time.”

Like many people rebuilding their lives, Chris was searching for a sense of purpose. Volunteering became the perfect starting point. “When you’ve been in drug addiction for years and you get clean, you do feel like you should be putting something back into the community,” he says. “You’ve probably taken from it at some point.”

At Plungington, Chris works in the café kitchen two days a week and helps run the food club on Fridays. “With the food bank, I really like that we’re providing a service for people who are in need,” he says. “It’s not just about food – it’s about giving people a chance, like I was given.”

More recently, Chris has been supporting another new volunteer who, like him, is finding their feet again. “It’s nice to be able to help someone else now. That’s what it’s about.”

The café and food club have given Chris much more than a routine. “It’s definitely given me a purpose. It’s helped me build my confidence. I’m better around people now. I used to struggle with that. It’s made me feel part of something.”

Originally from a small village, Chris moved to Preston to make a fresh start. “I didn’t know anyone. Volunteering gave me an anchor. I’ve made friends here. It’s given me a connection to the community.”

And it’s not just about turning up, it’s about showing up for yourself too. “It’s actually easier to do nothing than it is to get up and do something,” Chris says honestly. “But you’ve got to find that thing inside yourself and give it a go.”

When asked what he’d say to someone thinking about volunteering, he doesn’t hesitate: “Just go for it. What have you got to lose? If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. But if it does, it can give you everything; purpose, routine, community. And you’ll meet great people too.”

Chris is a brilliant example of how volunteering isn’t just about giving your time – sometimes, it’s about finding yourself in the process.