info@loughtonvoluntarycare.org.uk || 020 8508 6114
Loughton Voluntary Care
Going the extra mile in Loughton for over 50 years
Our Volunteers
The heart of Loughton Voluntary Care is its dedicated army of volunteers.
Currently LVC has over 50 volunteers, doing jobs as varied as answering the phones, driving clients to medical appointments, visiting clients at
home, accompanying them shopping, and facilitating training groups for getting online using tablets and iPads.
We design our interventions around the availability of our volunteers, as well as the needs of our clients – with some volunteers giving regular times each week, and others contributing what they can when they can.
Each service we offer is managed by a volunteer Section Leader, who develops and manages the services and supports the volunteers working in these areas.
Every volunteer is interviewed by a the relevant section leader, provides two character references and is DBS checked if they will engage in regulated activity, such as driving or visiting.
Management oversight is provided by the LVC committee who are also all volunteers. LVC committee members are nominated by volunteers and must be voted on through the AGM.
Co-ordinator: Janet Thomas
My volunteering with LVC began in 1990 finding myself in Loughton with a new baby and not knowing anyone. At first I was involved in what is now the Good Neighbour Scheme – collecting shopping for a gentleman in Staples Road and a working out by pushing a Silver Cross pram up the hill in The Drive. Both activities were good for me and I began to feel
that I belonged in Loughton. When I returned to (part-time) teaching I kept up volunteering, heading up the Scheme, devising the Escorted Shopping Scheme, visiting and delivering fish and chips every Friday evening to another housebound gent. I joined the committee in 1994, becoming Co-ordinator in 2012.Apart from teaching, latterly pupils with severe learning difficulties, I worked in social work for two years in Hackney.Since becoming Co-ordinator my focus has been on promoting social inclusion for older people whilst maintaining our much appreciated transport service. There is a marvellous team of volunteers at LVC; by working together and with local partners we are providing a secure raft of support for the older residents of Loughton.
On March 16 2022 Janet was awarded Loughton Citizen of the Year 2022 in recognition of her work for Loughton Voluntary Care.
Chairman: Carey Adams
A professional administrator with 40 years’ experience, currently working part-time at Queen Mary University of London as Operations Manager for a new, China-based Joint Educational Institute, Carey is a qualified Company Secretary with a Masters in IP Law. Most of her career has been spent in university administration, but she helped to
develop a spin-out company, ApaTech Limited, where she worked for ten years as Administration Manager and Company Secretary. She has considerable experience of corporate compliance and finance, human resources, technology transfer, health and safety and facilities management.
Carey is married to John and they have two children, one at University and one in the sixth form. She enjoys tennis and squash and spends much of her time with a racket in her hand (or a glass of wine). Carey has an elderly mother living in Loughton, so is acutely aware of many of the issues facing LVC’s clients.
Treasurer: Mike Robinson
I have been a volunteer with LVC only since 2018. I used to serve as a Duty Officer on Tuesday afternoons, arranging transport for our clients to appointments at hospitals and doctors’ surgeries but have now ceased this role as since September of last year I have taken on the role of Treasurer.
Although I am originally from the South Coast, my wife Tina and I moved into Loughton in 1976 and have lived in the same house since then. We have 2 sons who both live locally.
I worked as a Local Authority town planner in Waltham Forest and Havering for almost 40 years but have been retired for over 10 years now. Before the pandemic, Tina and I loved going to the theatre and the cinema, eating out and holidays both in the UK and abroad, particularly Italy. We look forward to doing all that again!
I now enjoy walking our dog Jasper in the forest, playing golf and one day each week looking after our 1-year-old first grandchild, Ella.
Member: Laura Watson
I grew up in Loughton and lived overseas in the US, Australia, and South Asia for several decades before moving back to the area in 2014, when I joined LVC. I wanted to contribute to a community organization and also learn a little bit about Community Services in Loughton. I am married, with 2 step children and we care for my elderly father.
Workwise, I have 15 years of experience working in the development sector in Somalia, DRC, Madagascar, Bangladesh and Nepal, and 15 years of management experience in financial services. I bring an unusual mix of private sector and not-for-profit experience.
In LVC, I work as a volunteer driver, helped to set up the Silver Surf Club, and support the maintenance of the website.
Member: Catherine Mills
I have been a volunteer with LVC for roughly 18 years. I serve as a Duty Officer, manning the phones and speaking with our clients and volunteers to arrange transport and other requests. I have lived in Loughton for 27 years, moving here to start my family (we have a son and a daughter) with my husband Mark. Whilst my children were at school I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mum, and this allowed me the time to volunteer.
I also volunteer at my church, St Edmund's, and for 15 odd years I helped at a local girlguide group. Currently I work part-time for John Lewis in Oxford Street.
Living in Loughton I enjoy the easy access to Epping Forest and the meadows by Roding Valley where I like to walk with my dog Lola. As someone who was born and grew up in North London, I always like to jump on the tube and travel into town either to go to the theatre, which I love, or to just walk around and enjoy the sights. You can't beat London in my eyes.
During my time with LVC I have got to know our volunteers (often just over the telephone) and have been heartened to know that so many ordinary folk are happy and willing to help others - a little bit of time can make life a lot easier for others. Best of all is the gratitude that comes down the phone from our clients.
Member: Eva Bagurske
I worked with elderly people in care homes for many years and found it very fulfilling. When I left my last care job, I decided to start volunteering in order to continue to support and look after elderly people. In LVC, I am dedicated to LVC’s social media, and spreading the good news. I am also a "good neighbour" and enjoy visiting and chatting with an amazing 97 years old lady, who has become a very good friend. She is like my family.
Besides volunteering at LVC I also volunteer at animal rescue , fostering dogs.
Other than volunteering, I have 2 children, work in the Medical Communications sector and am studying to become Meditation Coach.
Every volunteer is interviewed by the relevant section leader, provides two character references and is DBS checked if they will engage in regulated activity, such as driving or visiting.