Clare Connor - Area Rep, joined 2021

Clare Connor loves engaging with people. This aspect of her volunteering is what means most to her. “I like the door-stepping, the conversations with residents.”

Clare works for the NHS as an operational manager in a screening programme. “I like my job. I work on an eye-screening programme for identifying diabetes early enough to start effective treatment. My job is to engage as many people as possible in a diverse population, via GPs, pop-up clinics and so on. I have to think outside the box, about strategy. But as a nice contrast my volunteering is all about the human contact.”

Clare is Area Rep for Perry Vale. “I had signed up to get a tree, or hopefully more than one! planted on our street. I was quite desperate so I ticked ALL the boxes offering to volunteer as well. Little did I know I would be asked to be an Area Rep! To start with I took my daughter with me scanning. The role is great for a mother of young children, as I can manage my time as I want. And I’ve met some amazing fellow volunteers and this has made me feel part of the community.”

“There’s so much I enjoy about my volunteering. Getting things done. The pleasure on people’s faces when they realise I’m filling in forms for them just because I love trees. Working with residents as part of a little team.”

“Trees have always been a backdrop and important in my life but I took them for granted as they were always there. I always remember at my suburban primary school there was an amazing willow tree which we would shelter under for lessons on a sunny day.  I think at some point I stopped taking trees for granted and realised how important they are. That’s what led me to volunteer for STfL.”

Interview by Dom Eliot.