Our nomination for good news story of the week comes with the announcement that Wendy Padbury, who played Zoe Heriot alongside Patrick Troughton’s Doctor, has signed up as a volunteer at Pershore Wellbeing Hub in Worcestershire.

Currently undergoing her induction, Wendy will soon be engaged in the Hub’s valuable work supporting people in finding services to help them take control of their wellbeing, and she can’t wait to get started:

“I welcome the opportunity to work with such a committed group of people, and am looking forward to the varied and sometimes challenging range of situations that Hub volunteers can meet.”

Wendy may have left Doctor Who in the 1960s but has maintained a strong link with the programme, both as a regular on the convention circuit and with on-screen appearances in features such as Behind the Sofa for Blu-ray releases. Last year, she played Zoe again, reuniting with Frazer Hines as Jamie for one of the 60th anniversary Tales of the TARDIS mini-specials.

Despite her other commitments, she’s commendably finding the time to support her community. Volunteers are, of course, the lifeblood of many thousands of charities and community organisations in the UK and around the world.

Wendy has been welcomed by her new colleagues, with trustee Ian Birth saying she has “many of the qualities that we are looking for in our volunteers the most important of which are empathy and a willingness to listen.” As is required in these situations, Ian offers an obligatory TARDIS-based gag:

“We were a little worried that the Hub would appear to be on the small side for her after life in the TARDIS but she seems to be coping superbly.”

Perhaps unaware of what they could be unleashing, the Evesham Journal, which reports Wendy’s recruitment, tells readers that “fans of the show, autograph hunters, and those interested in volunteering can meet Padbury at the hub”.

We send Wendy our very best wishes in her new role.