Keith Workman took early retirement from his engineering career in March 2020, just as the UK went into lockdown.  

With a planned sailing adventure now off the agenda, he decided to volunteer to help the community. An online search led him to VARB, and he was soon delivering newsletters for Age Concern Merstham, helping the charity keep in touch with users while their Day Centre was closed.  

Then Keith saw an appeal for volunteer engineers for the charity Remap, which makes bespoke equipment for disabled people. In his professional life, he specialised in building large theme park rides. The jobs for Remap were on a smaller scale, but Keith says, “Engineering is problem solving.”  

The jobs often involve adjusting generic equipment to fit individual clients’ needs. He says, “It’s satisfying helping the client. If they were cooped up and couldn’t get out, they now can get about more comfortably.” 

Keith also volunteers for the SERV Blood Bikers, a scheme which uses volunteer motor bikers transport blood, plasma, human donor milk and other medical essentials around the South East. This is of particular personal importance as Keith had a blood transfusion himself as a baby, and has been a blood donor for many years. He says, “It’s about giving back.”  

If you would like to find out more please email volunteer@varb.org.uk or take a look though our current volunteer opportunities here.