Robert Richardson
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Mersey Gateway Project?
I have been volunteering for over 12 years on different projects and thought this would be an exciting project to work on.
What does your role involve?
I work in both the Widnes and Runcorn visitor centres helping with giving out information to visitors.
What do you like best about volunteering?
I like interacting with the people that visit and seeing different aspects of the project like the site visits
Have you learnt any new skills?
I have gained more confidence.
What do you get out of volunteering on a personal level?
With having a disability it gives me something to do in the day and I enjoy it.
What would you say to other people who are thinking about volunteering with the project?
It is a worthwhile project to volunteer for and you gain a new perspective of the project.
What is the most interesting or unusual question you have been asked?
When are the bridge towers being delivered?
Peter Millward
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Mersey Gateway Project?
Being new to Runcorn, I wanted to learn more about the area and to do something that would contribute to the overall benefit of the community.
What does your role involve?
I volunteer at one of the Merseylink visitor centres as an information guide and deliver presentations to local schools, clubs and community organisations. The Merseylink team provides plenty of slides and props to support you in these activities.
What do you like best about volunteering?
I enjoy explaining about the bridge to people. With young people you are looking to develop interest and excitement about this iconic bridge, while with adults you are often correcting misconceptions and giving them reassurance about the many benefits the bridge project will deliver to Halton.
Have you learnt any new skills?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I’ve learnt new skills, but I’ve definitely sharpened up and improved some of my existing skills.
What do you get out of volunteering on a personal level?
You get to talk to people that have such varied and interesting backgrounds. I’ve also made lots of new friends through volunteering.
What would you say to other people who are thinking about volunteering with the project?
If you can spare the time being a Merseylink volunteer is an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience
What is the most interesting or unusual question you have been asked?
Will I still be able to use my bus pass on the bridge?
Evelyn Edwards
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Mersey Gateway Project?
Several reasons. I wanted to be part of something that would go down in history, to meet like-minded people and have interesting conversations with them, and to make new friends and enjoy the social side of volunteering.
What does your role involve?
I volunteer at the visitor centre in the Catalyst Museum in Widnes. My role involves greeting visitors and explaining different aspects of the project. I talk them through various screens and presentations and take them up to the viewing gallery where they can see the construction in the river.
What do you like best about volunteering?
Meeting people from all walks of life, continually learning about what’s happening at each stage of development, and watching visitors depart with a positive attitude and knowing that I played an active part in that.
Have you learnt any new skills?
I have learnt that becoming older does not mean that you have to start ‘winding down’ if you are not ready to.
What do you get out of volunteering on a personal level?
I get satisfaction out of educating visitors about the bridge. I have gained renewed confidence and I thoroughly value the friendships I have made with my fellow volunteers.
What would you say to other people who are thinking about volunteering with the project?
Go for it! It is the best thing I have done in a long time. You will not regret it.
What is the most interesting or unusual question you have been asked?
If people will be allowed to climb to the top of the towers!
Andrew Bunce
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Mersey Gateway Project?
I decided to get involved because of the unique opportunity to be involved in such an iconic structure on my doorstep.
What does your role involve?
I volunteer at the visitor centres in both Widnes and Runcorn. Both sites require different approaches to the job. There are more children to deal with in Widnes, whereas in Runcorn you get more of the everyday public and the older generation.
What do you like best about volunteering?
I enjoy interacting with the public and listening to their stories. It’s good to be able to put people at ease about any fears or problems they bring to us.
Have you learnt any new skills?
Yes, I have more confidence in myself.
What do you get out of volunteering on a personal level?
I feel that I am putting something back into the community by telling Halton residents about what is happening with the bridge.
What would you say to other people who are thinking about volunteering with the project?
Get involved. It’s a lot of fun and very interesting, especially the site visits and meeting members of the community.
What is the most interesting or unusual question you have been asked?
Will it fall down in the wind?
Alan Flynn
Why did you decide to volunteer with the Mersey Gateway Project?
I was interested in the new bridge and had recently retired, so I had the time to get involved as a volunteer.
What does your role involve?
I spend time at the visitor centre at the Catalyst Museum explaining about the project to visitors and showing exhibits, and the views from the observatory. I also help out with presentations to schools and other interested groups.
What do you like best about volunteering?
Meeting interested members of the public and the camaraderie with other volunteers I work with.
Have you learnt any new skills?
I’ve learnt a lot about bridge construction and local history.
What do you get out of volunteering on a personal level?
It is interesting and the company is good. It is an important part of the week and I look forward to it.
What would you say to other people who are thinking about volunteering with the project?
Give it a try. The training is good and there are plenty of experienced volunteers to help you. You also get to visit the construction site, which is very exciting.
