Bill Marwick volunteers for Cue and Review Recording Service
PICTURE the situation. I am jogging through Bishopbriggs just a few hours before I am due to continue my work as a freelance football reporter (many years before I had been the night news editor of the Glasgow Herald).
Suddenly, a pain in my leg which just would not go away. It meant a visit to the local hospital and an abrupt change in my life. “Nothing wrong with the leg”, I am told, “but during our examination we have found that you have cancer of the skull”.
Months later, and after radiotherapy treatment, I had retired and was wondering what I would do as I was feeling fit again. And, as I visited a barber shop in the village, I noticed the Cue and Review sign on the next door property.
Knowing nothing about the outfit – only that they required volunteers – I entered to meet two amazing people – Alastair McPhee and Morag Mackay. That started me off and I have been a volunteer for the past 11 years. What do I do? I am a reader, and my main brief is to enable our blind and partially sighted listeners to keep up with the news. I generally read The Herald. On days gone past the reading was put onto tapes which were mailed out to our listeners, but with the advances in technology the articles are now on the internet, mp3 files, podcasts and CDs.
It is tremendously satisfying to know that my efforts – simple as they are – can open a wide world to those listening.
But it does not stop there. I can see the amazing work in other fields being carried out, and at times I am able to offer my thoughts on the way forward, or to help solve a problem – and that is satisfying.
Cue and Review carries out outstanding work in providing opportunities for disabled youngsters. Being able to interact, and then see them grow in confidence to finally step out into the world to take on positions that they would never have considered without the considerable expertise of Alastair and Morag, is a joy. That is really what makes volunteering important!
It is superb to see that all happening and to be a small part of it. And I am sure all the other volunteers would agree with that.
However, I have been shocked and dismayed by one major disappointment – the difficulty which faces outfits like Cue and Review. We all know about austerity and the situation the country has been in for years. Obviously there is a shortage of money – each and every area of society is crying out for more. However, it is not simply the lack of money – it is the number of hoops to be gone through, the number of forms to be filled, simply to help the disadvantaged.
However, I get a lift when I see firms and organisations that step forward to assist and see the progress being made – that makes it is worthwhile.
To find out more see www.cueandreview.com/be-a-volunteer
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