Volunteer at Woody’s Lodge

Woody’s Lodge is always on the lookout for more volunteers to add to our team. More than anything, we need your time! Our volunteers provide support for veterans in a variety of ways from providing one-on-one guidance with form filling to ensure they’re getting the right financial or health support to sitting down with a brew and a biscuit to have a light chat with a veteran that might have become a bit isolated. We often have activity days to help families re-engage with each other and we’re always on the lookout for volunteers for these days, helping to make tea, run activities and generally, being a friendly face.

If you think you have some time to volunteer with us at either our North or South Wales sites, Woody’s Lodge would love to hear from you! Contact the team on 01446 781792 (South Wales) or 01492 533954 (North Wales). You can also drop us an email at support@woodyslodge.org

Support Team Volunteers

Meet our Volunteers!

Alicia Woodland

Alicia is Paul Woodland’s (Woody) mother and as well as bringing up Jamie and Paul, donating her time to us at Woody’s Lodge, she has been a childminder and carer. She has been with Woody’s Lodge since the very beginning, not only volunteering her time but she is also a Trustee to the Management Board.

Born in Cardiff, Alicia was brought up in Penarth where she still lives in her childhood home. Her dad was Polish, who came to Wales after fighting for the Polish Army in the Second World War. Since Paul’s passing she has raised lots of money for military charities, including taking part in a sky dive! As well as contributing to local military organisations by organising coffee mornings and raffles.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, shopping, cooking, baking and walking.

Carole Alexander

Carole has been with Woody’s Lodge from the beginning and not only is she a volunteer with us, but she’s also a Trustee and Secretary to the Management Board.

Originally from Port Talbot, Carole has lived in Penarth for over 30 years. She joined the Women’s Royal Navy Service in 1971 and served for 2 years, where she was based at the Royal Marine Barracks at Eastney, working at DPRORM. She moved back to South Wales when she left the WRNS and got married and spent the next 12 years raising her son and daughter. She has over 23 years’ experience in local government, working as Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive and 15 years as Personal Assistant to the Mayor. She retired in 2015 and now works part time as Clerk to a local Community Council.

In Carole’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her three grandsons, gardening, knitting, crossword puzzles and yoga.

Kath Fisher

Kath has been with Woody’s Lodge from the beginning and in addition to volunteering her free time with us, she is also a Trustee to the Management Board. She served for six years in the Royal Air Force as an Air Traffic Control Officer, serving at RAF Odiham as well as undertaking a tour of active service in Basrah in Iraq in 2004. In addition to her time here with us at Woody’s, Kath works with the National Police Air Service flying out of St. Athan after 5 years working with the South Wales Police Force, as well as volunteering at the RNLI.

Woody’s Lodge is a keen interest of Kath’s, especially as she has the unique insight of what it means to be a veteran herself. As well as all of her work and volunteering, Kath also spends her free time organising fundraisers to raise money for us here at Woody’s Lodge as well as for veterans locally.

Brian Elliott

Brian was born in Ashton under Lyne in 1948 and joined the RAF at 17 years old, in which he served for 5 years. He also served with the Territorial Army for 12 years. 

Following his military service, he worked in engineering for a number of years. However, in 1978 his career took a different turn and he became a Psychiatric Nurse and attained a certificate in Counselling at Swansea University.  In the mid-1980s, he broke service to become a hospital officer at HMP Swansea but returned to psychiatric nursing after 5 years. 

Since retiring, Brian has kept busy with part time and volunteering work.  He now volunteers at Woody’s Lodge for 4 days a week. 

Brian is a fitness addict and enjoys working out at the gym. 

Volunteer at Woody’s Lodge

If you would like to volunteer at Woody’s Lodge, then please call us on 01446 78179 (South Wales) or 01492 533954 (North Wales).

You can also email us at support@woodyslodge.org