Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann meets volunteers in Lancing

A TV star best known for appearing in The Only Way is Essex has shown her support for a campaign to get more young people volunteering by visiting a social club in Lancing.
Ferne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA WireFerne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
Ferne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire

Ferne McCann, a TV presenter who has also starred in First Time Mum, spent a morning with Royal Voluntary Service volunteers at Chesham House in South Street, Lancing, which runs daily activities for older people.

She helped serve up tea and cake in the vintage tea room, dished out a roast dinner to lunch club members and even took part in a Tai Chi exercise class.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ferne said: “The volunteers I met at the social centre were just amazing.

Ferne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA WireFerne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
Ferne McCann takes a selfie with Shirley Margaret Hill, at a Royal Voluntary Service Centre in Lancing. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire

“Not only are they helping to run the brilliant social centre, they are getting so much out of it too.

“I think that volunteering is often seen as something we only do when we retire, but actually, any time you can give can make a huge difference to someone’s life and the benefits on you health and wellbeing are just incredible at any age.”

Her visit coincided with a major recruitment drive from Royal Voluntary Service to get more people to volunteer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity said it can have a positive impact on wellbeing, with research showing that volunteering just once a week matches the feeling of ‘runner’s high’ – the feeling of euphoria from exercising.

Visiting volunteers at the hospital shop. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA WireVisiting volunteers at the hospital shop. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
Visiting volunteers at the hospital shop. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire

On her visit to Sussex, Ferne also met with young people who volunteer at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Ferne said: “It was really encouraging to see young people so willing to give up their time to help others.

“I was so inspired by their positive attitude and they all talked so highly of their experience helping others.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rebecca Kennelly, director of volunteering for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “In the past the benefits of volunteering have been disproportionately enjoyed by those of higher socioeconomic groups.

Taking part in a tai chi class. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA WireTaking part in a tai chi class. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
Taking part in a tai chi class. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA Wire

"We want to see a cultural shift and for people of all ages and backgrounds to be able to integrate volunteering into their everyday life and benefit from the experience.

“There is something to suit everyone, whether it’s providing an older person with company at home, running an exercise class for patients on a hospital ward or putting culinary skills to use at a lunch club, our volunteers make a tangible difference to so many people, with millions of acts of kindness.

“The sense of purpose and joy that can be derived from volunteering and supporting others is incomparable and stays with our volunteers for life.”

Find out more at royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk