Volunteers

Jean has been volunteeering now for 9 years, so we asked her to tell us about her experience of doing voluntary work.

Which organisation/s or projects/s have you been volunteering with?

Magistrates Court Witness Services, Volunteer Centre, LAPD, 3D Youth Services.

What sort of tasks have you been doing as a volunteer?

Supporting victims and witnesses in court. Advisor (disabilities). Research and advice. Mentor. Presentations and promotion of VCS Services.

Was volunteering what you expected? Why?

Yes. Challenging and rewarding.

What inspired you to get involved in volunteering?

Wanted to keep active and experience something different.

How did you find out about your volunteer work? How easy was it to get started?

Initially through local paper and then through organisations.

Have you faced any challenges or barriers? How did you overcome them?

Some challenges (overcome by training). No barriers.

What skills have you learned or used?

Interviewing, listening and presentation. Mentoring, and supporting.

What have you enjoyed about your volunteering activity?

Meeting new people.

How has volunteering been a benefit to you? What have you gained or achieved?

Has kept me actively retired and have gained confidence.

What do people think about your volunteering?

Family are very pleased. Others think I am mad to do vol.work when I could get a paid job.

What impact has your volunteering had on others?

Hopefully, I have helped people  to get through difficult/stressful situations.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Yes!

Will you continue to volunteer?

Yes!

Organisations

We would love to add a case study about your organisation, so please let us have your details!