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02 Jun 2025
Volunteers' Week: Meet Mark
From the 2nd to the 6th of June, we're joining #VolunteersWeek2025 which means across our online platforms we're celebrating our volunteers and all they do helping us support refugees and people seeking safety in Devon - in all honesty, we couldn't do it without them!
We’ve interviewed a handful of our volunteers from across a range of projects at Refugee Support Devon. They’ve shared their background, what motivates them to volunteer and why others should too!
Join us in celebrating the work of our volunteers on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
Meet Mark.
Mark started volunteering with Refugee Support Devon 4 years ago and manages our community garden project, growing fruits and vegetables to share with our community and supporting our clients to connect with one another and get involved in the local community through gardening and community growing.
Q: Tell us your story. Why do you volunteer and choose to give your time to Refugee Support Devon?
I grew up in rural Staffordshire and moved down country in stages eventually settling in Exeter about 35 years ago. I have always worked with people not just on a voluntary basis but professionally and eventually made a career from doing so. I am now retired and have a strong interest in community growing. I feel this is particularly important as we are faced with a number of crises including a changing climate and hence rising prices and food shortages . It is important to work together in a changing environment. I believe everyone has a right to grow and I spend much of my time in cultivation. I also think growing is a healing process, particularly where people have suffered trauma and loss.
Q: What’s your favourite part about volunteering with us?
I think meeting people is my favourite part of volunteering and also being involved in a practical joint project.
Q: In your words, why is Refugee Support Devon’s work so important?
The work of Refugee Support Devon is vital in providing structure, routine, recognition advice and help. Ultimately it offers the hand of friendship and helps people orient themselves in an unfamiliar environment. Compassion is vital.
Q: What’s your message to refugees and people seeking asylum in Devon?
My message is that together we become the change and create our future through our joint efforts. All together we can do it.
Q: In your opinion, why should people volunteer?
I think people can act positively in such challenging times and in volunteering we offer such a response.
