brixton windmill

"It's early days yet but I've enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and finding out about the history of the windmill. I knew the mill before it was renovated and it's nice to be involved in the regeneration - if only in a small way."

"As well as meeting loads of people and feeling useful to my community, I have improved myself by taking advantage of training opportunities offered  by FoWG. It gave me additional transferable skills useful both for the windmill and for myself in other capacities. I have learned a lot about the place I live and made friends who have become very close." 

"It’s made me feel more rooted in the community – I’ve met and worked with a lot of local people, and it’s great to feel that we can make a difference by working together."

"My favourite thing about volunteering is the great team atmosphere, and in particular the enormous grin most visitors have on their faces when entering the top floor of the mill and seeing the simplicity but might of the gearing and wheels up there!"

"I get a feeling of satisfaction that I have helped do my bit, and I enjoy the teamwork of milling."

"I learnt loads from the other volunteers who give tours and it's fab when you get into doing one. Even though you don't know everything, there are some brilliant 'ooooh' moments when people go inside or hear key titbits of the history — that's a great feeling!"

"I love being part of a group of people who are working hard to promote an amazing industrial heritage project to the local community, to a London wide audience and making sure Brixton Windmill is around for a long time for future generations to enjoy."

"I thoroughly enjoy working with the school workshops, watching the animated faces of the young children (usually nursery and reception) as they learn about the windmill. Being a people person, I love interaction with the variety of people who visit from all walks of life."

"I’m most proud of the difference we have made to Windmill Gardens, right from the beginning. It used to be in a state of disrepair, but we have introduced regular social activities that are attractive to the local residents regardless of background."

"For me, it's all about the people. Being part of a team is important and of course it's great meeting all of the different visitors who come to the windmill wanting to know its story."