Meet Jerry, Valued Volunteer and Community Member

Jerry is one of the Community Association of Poundbury’s most dedicated volunteers, working on the LovePoundbury newsletter, responding to queries, helping to manage the Virtual Community Hub, and supporting the Poundbury community in many ways. His enthusiasm and commitment are fundamental to our work.

Jerry and his wife Sue moved to Poundbury in January 2022 after living in Maidstone, Kent, for 15 years. Reflecting on their decision, Jerry shared, “When our daughter moved to East Sussex with her family, and our son went to work in Japan, Sue and I thought, ‘Now it’s time for a new chapter for us.’” They had fond memories of Dorset from visiting Sue's parents, and the couple quickly felt at home. “As soon as we arrived, it felt like home, and as time has gone on that feeling has only increased,” Jerry said.

After settling in, he attended the then Poundbury Residents Association AGM to learn more about life in Poundbury. Just over a year later, when the weekly newsletter called for volunteers to assist with production, Jerry decided to get involved: “Having some experience in IT, I thought it was a great opportunity to learn something new, and I’m still involved in producing the newsletter.”

Jerry's contributions don’t stop there. He also supports his wife Sue in managing community noticeboards (“she needed a tall person to open the big noticeboards!”) and assists with managing the membership process. For Jerry, volunteering is not just about the tasks but also about connection: “I have always been interested in volunteering in my community as I feel it’s a great way to meet people and, at the same time, contribute to the greater good. Everyone’s a winner!”

Jerry is especially inspired by the camaraderie and dedication of his fellow CAoP team members. “The team I work with are so dedicated and friendly; they are a joy to work with. I believe that, moving forward, we will really make a difference to the lives of Poundbury residents, and I’m really glad to play a small part in that,” he said.

Jerry also highlighted how rewarding it is to see new volunteers join the association since the CAoP’s launch: “It’s very heartening that we’ve had quite a few new volunteers join, and I’m looking forward to the next phase of the development of our community.”

And now for a fun fact about Jerry! “Before the 1997 General Election, ITV filmed in our cul-de-sac in Gravesend as it was part of a bellwether constituency. The program featured a number of families, including ours, over six weeks. Sadly, no film offers came my way afterwards!” 

We are incredibly grateful for volunteers like Jerry, who bring so much energy and positivity to our community. If you’re interested in volunteering with the CAofP, visit: https://www.lovepoundbury.org/volunteering-projects