15 Aug 2025 Community

“Why Wouldn’t You Help?”: How Barney is Using His Time to Support The Kirkwood

Eighteen year old Barney Blackwell is like many young people fresh out of college, creative, ambitious, and ready for the next step in life. 

But instead of spending his summer relaxing before university, Barney has chosen to dedicate his time to helping others through volunteering with The Kirkwood.

“I’ve just finished my two years at Leeds Art College,” Barney explains. “Now I’m hoping to go down to London to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins for three years. I don’t have any set goals just yet, I just think it’s the right thing for me to do right now and I’ll see where it takes me.”

Barney’s love for art began early and has grown steadily over the years: “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been into drawing and painting,” he says. “It started as something fun to do, but it’s developed into a real passion. At the moment, I’m quite into weird, conceptual things, art that really gets you thinking. I find that side of it fascinating.”

That same sense of thoughtfulness and reflection is what drew him to The Kirkwood when he found himself with time on his hands after college: “I was just sitting around, so I thought I should probably do something good with my time,” he says. “I think the work that The Kirkwood does is great. I’ve had family members and friends who’ve needed end of life care and I know how important it is. I’m happy to support you in any way I can.”

Barney’s role at The Kirkwood started in a practical way helping in the warehouse with sorting and listing donated DVDs. But he soon moved into something more specialist: “I started off doing the sorting and listing DVDs,” he says. “Then I moved on to valuing, photographing and listing watches, and that’s what I’m doing currently. It’s really nice, everyone here is lovely. It’s been great to meet people.”

Even in a behind the scenes role, Barney understands the real world impact of the work he’s doing: “When we sell a watch for £30, that pays for a patient’s meal. Just knowing that I’m contributing to something, it’s a good feeling. I’m glad that I’m doing something meaningful with my time. I’m helping people in the best way I can, and I think that’s great.”

Barney’s time at The Kirkwood has helped him develop new skills that he’ll take with him into the future: “It’s given me good experience with, I guess, a sort of office environment, using computers, listing items, those are things I’ve never really done before. I think it’s all valuable experience. And of course, people skills, that’s an important part when you’re at uni too.”

It’s not just what he’s doing that matters to Barney, it’s why he’s doing it. As someone with lived experience of loved ones needing end of life care, he understands the emotional and practical support that hospices like The Kirkwood provide.

“Well, it wasn’t directly through The Kirkwood,” he clarifies, “but I know how helpful it can be, even if it’s something as small as just having someone to talk to. I’ve seen the impact it’s had on family members, and I think the work The Kirkwood does is just great.”

Barney also feels strongly about the need for greater public support for hospice care: “It’s terrible really, that The Kirkwood has had to make cutbacks,” he says. “The fact that there’s no real government support for care like this.”

He sees The Kirkwood as an essential part of Kirklees: “It’s incredibly important,” he says. “I see all the work that The Kirkwood does at events, in the shops, everything. It’s a crucial part of the community.”

As for his own experience, Barney says volunteering has been a positive and memorable part of his journey: “This is one of my first proper job experiences, I suppose. I’ve been turning up every week, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely remember it.”

When asked what he’d say to other young people who might be considering giving up some time to volunteer, Barney doesn’t hesitate: “Well, I think if anyone’s in a similar position to me, if you’ve got free time, why not spend your time helping someone or raise a bit of money for a charity? Why wouldn’t you do that? It’s crucial to the community.”

If like Barney you would like to volunteer for The Kirkwood click the link HERE.