Two of our volunteers have decided to provide some personal backgrround and their reasons for volunteering.

Their stories are told, in their own words, below.

Profile – Liz Smales

I was brought up in Looe during the War and although I did leave for a period to go to school I have spent most of my life living and working in Looe.  I retired 5 years ago after 42 years in the nursing profession.

I then joined the RNLI as a volunteer working in the shop.  Although I already knew a lot of local people, since working in the lifeboat I have made more friends.  I genuinely feel as if I’ve got an extended family who I can share lots of time talking and socialising.  I love the atmosphere within the team of volunteers.  The commitment that I give the lifeboat is convenient to me and my life and what I give is always appreciated.

Volunteering in the lifeboat shop is not like working in a normal shop.  I meet mostly tourists who come in the shop to browse and often share stories of their individual experiences with the lifeboat – some sad and some very uplifting.  I am continually impressed with how generous people are – even in these difficult times.

I do it because I enjoy the company and meeting different people with different interests and backgrounds. 

Profile – Rosemarie Griffin

Following my being widowed I moved to Looe about 4 years ago.  When I arrived I knew very few people and I wanted to be a part of my new community.  I decided to volunteer to work in the Lifeboat shop.  I felt that this would be my opportunity to give something back.

I have made some fantastic friends and my social life is better than I have ever known.  We often go to lunch, organise events and generally get together for coffee.

For me, as well as the social aspect, the lifeboat has given me a purpose.  I work a number of shifts a week and it has given me structure to my life.

I have enjoyed my time with the lifeboat so much that I now have a role on the committee.  It was not expected, they will let you give as much as you want to give, but I wanted to be further involved.