Paws for thought with our dedicated volunteer Steve
“I had Charlie for nearly 14 years, he had three strokes and couldn't walk so I used to push him around in a pram someone gave me for six months. And then he died in my arms.”
The butter to our bread, Steve
In a world that often feels a little disconnected, Steve’s story is a heartwarming reminder of how one person’s kindness can make a huge difference. Steve is one of our own. A self-employed decorator who found new purpose after facing some tough times, from battling prostate cancer and heart issues to losing his beloved dog, Charlie. What he didn’t expect was that volunteering would help him heal and give him a fresh perspective on life.
The butter to our bread
Steve’s journey began during one of the hardest times in his life. Dealing with health issues and the grief of losing Charlie, Steve was looking for something to help him get out of the house and keep himself busy. Bread and Butter quickly became a five-days-a week job. But one that he could do on his own terms. What began as a couple of days a week in the warehouse, soon became getting involved in hub life and food collections.
Finding warmth in the fridge
From testing his lungs in the fridges, unloading food to working in a cold warehouse and supporting special needs groups, Steve’s days are now packed. When asked about his health, Steve smiles and starts the list unfazed, “I've got prostate cancer. I've got three heart stents. I've got lung problems. I've had two. Lots of cancer took out my mouth. It's in my neck but they won't operate because I had the stroke last year. I'm having trouble with one of my eyes at the moment. I'm going in for an eye operation where they've got to drill and do what they have to do, and that's about it.”
Paws for thought
Another big part of Steve’s emotional journey was his love for animals, especially his dog, Charlie. “I had him nearly 14 years and he had about three strokes. So he used to go to the park. He couldn't walk so I used to have to carry. So he used to go to the park. He couldn't walk, so I used to have to carry him and sit down next to the pond and someone offered me a pram so I could lie him down in the pram. So I pushed him around in the pram for six months. He died in my arms.”
Losing Charlie was heartbreaking, but it turned out to be the push Steve needed to seek out new connections. Volunteering with Bread and Butter and The Veterans Breakfast helped fill the void left by Charlie’s absence. Steve continues, “I had to get out of the house because, with the dog not being there the house feels so empty, the more I'm out of the house, the happier I am.”
New year, new dog
Volunteering didn’t just help Steve emotionally – it also helped him socially. He’s made new friends through his work at The Bread and Butter Thing, and the support he gets from his community has become just as important to his well-being as the physical activity. Steve looks forward to his days in the warehouse, where he not only helps others but enjoys the banter, laughs and general warehouse hubbub. But even more importantly, Steve feels ready to take the plunge in getting a new pooch, “I did start thinking last week about getting another dog. Being a volunteer, I can go home anytime and take it for a walk. You see, I also feed a fox at night time.” This doesn’t surprise us one bit Steve! We’re so happy he found us.
Listen to Steve’s podcast right here.
