When Zoe moved to Peterhead about a decade ago, she didn’t know anyone.
She heard about the Taperoo Community Centre through Facebook and decided to connect with some of the centre’s programs.
Fast forward ten years, and Zoe is now giving back. She volunteers at the centre three days a week.
“On Mondays I help run a painting class. On Tuesdays we have a group for kids with autism. On Wednesdays I help with the poetry group, run the craft group, and then help out with the afternoon cooking class.”
The 38-year-old mum is the youngest volunteer at the centre.
“I wanted to give back to the community,” she says. “I love seeing the smile on the faces of people when they’ve achieved something.”
Heather and Tracy are both participants in Zoe’s craft class.
“It’s good because it gets me out of the house,” says Heather. “I’ve made some good friends.”
Like Heather, Tracy participates in a range of activities including poetry group, role plays and cooking.
“I’ve learned a lot,” she says. “I enjoy classes and Zoe helps me with the cooking.”
“I’ve made new friends. Sometimes my face hurts from laughing.”
But it is not just the participants who benefit.
“It’s therapeutic for me and them,” explains Zoe.
“I used to be very rushed. Everything had to be done quickly. This has taught me to slow down. Last week I spent an hour making a card,” she says proudly.
It is clear that there is a lot of goodwill in the room as participants paint and chat together.
“It’s a loving environment and everyone’s treated equally.
“Coming here made me feel like I belong.”
“We have a saying here ‘Come as a stranger, leave as a friend.’ It’s true. That’s exactly what happens.”