Big Venture Centre marked its 5th anniversary and community shop opening in June when there was an official ribbon cutting, buffet for guests and the chance to meet its army of volunteers.
Diane Lewis is one such volunteer, having been involved with the centre for more than four years, first using its services and now actively playing a major role in supporting other people.
She was introduced by Kim Payne, after the “breakdown of my marriage where I was left with little or nothing.”
Diane said: “Over the past few years, the Big Venture Centre helped me rebuild myself through the support of volunteers and fellow users of the centre.”
The centre continues to help others improve their lives through a community shop that helps users cope with the increase in the ‘cost of living’ by selling reduced products with some goods less than half the recommended retail price.
It also has a community garden where fruit and vegetables are grown for local people and are available to buy from the community shop.
These fruit and vegetables, however, are primarily used in cooking sessions on Monday and Thursday, which are coordinated by Diane Lewis. Members of the local community even created a WV10 Cookbook from the cooking sessions for other families to use, in order to help them cook healthy meals and learn budgeting skills.
This access to training has been vital as we emerge from Covid-19 and many of us begin to come to terms with the continuing increase in the ‘cost of living’.
After rebuilding herself with the support of the Big Venture Centre, Diane became a Deputy Manager and now works in the community shop and drives the minibus used to collect goods from the cash and carry for the shop. Diane also ensures that all events run smoothly and, more importantly, she delivers the household support fund on behalf of Wolverhampton City Council.
She also recently took part in a charity swim where she swam over 41 miles and raised nearly £900 for the centre.
“Volunteering allows me to give back to the community that helped me when I needed it most. Every day brings different challenges but knowing I’ve helped someone, and the positive impact it has on them, gives me a buzz and motivates me to carry on,” concluded Diane, who is also Vice Treasurer at Bushbury Estate Management Board and Chairperson of the Community Action Group.
The Big Venture Centre, which continues to grow through funding from WV10 Consortium, has big plans to extend the building and create a larger facility for the community.
Story written by Julia Handford