We have lots of great people giving their valuable and valued time to help us deliver our services to our members. Here we meet Naomi who has been part of our volunteer team for 2 and a half years now. Find out more about Naomi, her background and her motivation for volunteering:
Why did you want to volunteer?
I was going through a rough patch, and I wanted to think about something else and in the process give something back.
What interested you in volunteering?
I have managed volunteers in my professional life for 20 years, so I’ve always been very positive about volunteering and the benefits it gives to the people receiving the support and the volunteers themselves.
What does your volunteer role involve?
I help with newsletter each month – folding and stuffing envelopes. I help on trips out and I help with events at SSW such as wreath making.
Did you have any concerns or worries about volunteering?
No
How has volunteering helped you?
It’s made me think less about my worries by keeping busy plus I feel inspired by the people we support – their positive attitude in the face of adversity/challenge is amazing. I also feel it’s good for me to be at SSW as it keeps me in touch with the working world (I WFH now) and gets me out of the house!!!
What have you shared with the organisation during your volunteering for example any skills, experience, knowledge, hobbies, interests?
As I am a Volunteer Co-ordinator by trade (!), I sometimes offer suggestions in relation to procedures, which has always been received in the spirit it’s meant. It was agreed with Katie (SSW’s Volunteer Co-ordinator) that I’d suggest things, but that she knows I always respect her role and how things are done at SSW.
What have you learnt through your volunteering?
Generally, through the years I’ve volunteered at various organisations I always look at my future self and try to learn lessons from those older and definitely wiser than me. Especially – the more you do, the more you can do. Keeping positive, confident, and having a sense of humour is so important.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with your organisation/group?
I like having a laugh with the members, volunteers, and staff (probably a bit too much !!!) and I like going out to places I’ve not been before. It’s also nice when members thank you for your support as it makes me feel I’ve really done something to make someone’s day better.
Have there been any outstanding moments that you wish to share?
I absolutely love doing the crafts at SSW an especially seeing how people with sight impairment navigate the tasks and get on with them with such confidence.
If you could describe volunteering in a sentence or in one word, what would it be?
Rewarding
If someone was thinking about being a volunteer but wasn’t sure, what would you say to them?
I would say always carefully consider you can make the time commitment requested of you. Start small – you can usually take on more as time progresses (see my first point), don’t be apprehensive or nervous, there will be others in the same boat as you – new volunteers and members.
Go for it: you will meet new people and get a new outlook on life!
Thank you Naomi both for your volunteering efforts and the insights in to why you volunteer and what you get from it.
If you’d like to find out more about the range of volunteer roles we have here at SSW, please get in touch with Katie either by email (katie@sswcharity.org.uk) or call her on 01903 235 782
