SPOTLIGHT: Volunteer Coordinator - Jan Yeates
JAN YEATES - volunteer COORDINATOR
Tell us a little about yourself
Hi! My name is Jan Yeates and in 2019 I retired after 36 years in management with the NHS and moved from Birmingham city centre to Devon. Having spent time decorating my new home and taking a holiday of a lifetime holiday in Australia, I returned in 2020 looking for volunteering roles. I saw the Italian Garden on Facebook and was immediately taken by the voyage of discovery.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE HERE AT THE ITALIAN GARDEN?
I’m the Volunteer Coordinator for the Italian Garden. This can sometimes be challenging! The weather isn’t always on our side; the site parking isn’t easy and matching volunteer availability with spaces can sometimes be a fine juggling act.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE ITALIAN GARDENS?
Knowing nothing about gardening, I turned up for my first volunteer day and immediately fell for the garden… so peaceful and atmospheric. I truly believe you can feel the love that previous inhabitants had for it. Stories of the garden’s history had me hooked!
We have a great bunch of volunteers and it was clear that we needed to match volunteers with tasks and here was something that I did have experience in. As they say, the rest is history and I love working with such a great team!
“I immediately fell for the garden… so peaceful and atmospheric”
NOW FOR SOMETHING PLAYFUL, SHARE WITH US YOUR PERFECT DAY OUT/HOBBIES/WHERE WE CAN FIND YOU WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING ETC?
I live in a converted hospital which was built as Devon’s asylum which feels appropriate for someone who has made a career in NHS management! It has a lovely community and I’ve been made to feel very welcome. I enjoy cooking, walking, participate in a local book club and exercise at a local Health Club. I seriously don’t know how I used to fit in work!
An ideal weekend for me would be to take a Yoga or Pilates class followed by cooking for visiting friends or family then showing off the coast or lovely countryside whilst trying to hide the smug smile on my face… couldn’t be happier!