Steve on a mission to help others
When Steve Meyer was furloughed from his job at Birmingham Airport as the coronavirus pandemic hit, he suddenly found himself with a lot of time on his hands.
And it wasn't long before he became one of the thousands across the Black Country and Staffordshire to put their time to good use by volunteering.
Mr Meyer, aged 60, from Halesowen, linked back up with Acorns children's hospice, where he had previously worked before switching to the airport, to help with a crucial service.
He hit the road as a delivery driver, bringing groceries to families supported by the Walsall-based hospice. He also helps out one day a week doing gardening.
"One of the volunteers who works with the van drivers rang me up and said 'what are you doing?', and I said 'not a lot, really' so I said I would give him a hand.
"It's two days a week delivering parcels and I spend another day in the garden. We have about 15 or 16 calls a day, taking groceries to each household.
"A lot of these people are isolating with children, so it's a damn good cause. I get great pleasure out of delivering and the reaction you get from people, who are very grateful you are there.
"One guy in the Dudley area opened the door and was talking quite happily. My friend told me his little son had died the previous week. When someone says that it brings it home to you."
Mr Meyer said he had noticed a difference in people since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
He said: "A lot more people are doing exercise, or are out on their bikes, so you move out of the way for them. There's a nice, community spirit about people. People are now considering people.
"Before, people went about their own business. Now there's a touch of 'how are you?', and 'stay safe'."
