How helping others can help you?
Here are some real stories from people who discovered that helping others can help you:
Paul Brannick
Paul is a Mencap volunteer with Shopmobility Manchester, helping to mobilise and support disabled shoppers.
“I love volunteering and I get to meet new people, learn new skills and feel great about myself. If I can do it you can do it”
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Shirley Britton
As chairperson of the Disabled Photographers Society, Shirley has more get up and go than the average person. Shirley, who uses a wheelchair, is sharing her skills, volunteering as an art tutor.
“There is potential in everyone. If I can give someone a little bit of joy, or if people can feel joy through their art then that’s fantastic! The benefits are clear for all to see and very satisfying for me too”.
Sean Canavan
After he moved to Camden some years ago, Sean who is blind, set about transforming the area around Ryland Road. It was full of litter, graffiti and frequently vandalised.
Sean planted and maintained flowers and shrubs at the foot of all the trees and individual beds along the roads.
“It keeps me fit and gives me an interest. Being blind there are things I can’t do anymore but gardening isn’t one of them”. Sean has been nominated for a second time in the Exceptional People in Camden awards.
Steven Clough
Steven is 26 years old and has muscular dystrophy, he’s been volunteering at Gateshead Access Panel for just over a year.
“I wanted to do things that were a bit more fun so I decided to volunteer for The Shaw Trust. It’s something to go on my CV, which can prove that I have a bit of experience. I found that I could cope as well as I hoped, but overall I have proven to myself that I am quite capable of working”.
Samina Dewan
Samina began volunteering whilst still working full-time. Through her commitment and passion for her culture, Samina has helped to develop and make the London Mela an unmissable event on the London cultural calender.
“Volunteering opens your eyes. You get to share peoples thoughts and lives. It's really nice”.
Stephen Harper
Stephen went to Middleton Equestrian Centre for a taster day organised by Mencap. At first Stephen thought he couldn’t volunteer, but at the taster day he could see that he could do it.
“I wanted to volunteer because I wanted something for my CV. I have a learning disability, which means that sometimes I’m a bit slower at doing stuff, but I get there in the end. I wanted to show people that I can do stuff- I wanted proof that I can work. I’ve never worked with horses before, but I like working with animals and would ideally like to get a job with animals”.
Belinda Harries
What helped Bee overcome her illness was when she discovered a volunteering idea known as Time Banking which has helped her discover new ways of expressing herself and making new friends.
“Time Banking has changed my life. I offer an hour of my time doing something that I can do and then use that time credit that I’ve earned to get some help from somebody to do something for me. It’s an ideal way of living in a community and you benefit from helping other people, and them helping you”.
Ian Kaufman
Ian Kaufman is 33 and a ‘dyed in the wool’ Evertonian. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy and because of his disabilities he was never allowed to play the game he loved at school. He was bullied and teased, and eventually left with no qualifications. His love of Everton FC endured though and he eventually managed to play for Everton’s disability team, it was through this that he discovered the chance to volunteer.
It was this opportunity that lead Ian to gain a full-time job working for the team he loves. But it doesn’t end there. Ian was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award 2008 for all his hardwork and devotion. Ian is featured in “Extra Time” which you can see on Community Channel.
“To come into a volunteer programme, it gives you confidence. So much confidence it’s unbelievable. Not just confidence for going out in the workplace and helping out it gives you confidence in your social life. It brings you out of your shell more. It makes you feel like “I’m not going to be the one that sits back and says I could have been involved. It’s actually getting up and saying I am involved.”Ken Moc
Ken has a learning disability and is a volunteer at a local Community Centre where he helps out with disabled and older people. Sometimes this involves helping with computers, taking people to the doctor or learning traditional crafts like Origami.
“I used to think volunteering was a waste of time. But helping people has changed my life and I have learned such a lot and made friends at the same time. It is an honour to help the wider community and I am looking for other opportunities to help people”.
Sophie Morgan
Sophie Morgan became disabled after a car accident in Scotland in 2003 and came to the attention of the public after appearing on the BBC 2 television series Beyond Boundaries, in which she and 11 other contributors took part in an expedition across Nicaragua, Central America.
Sophie went on to win Cosmopolitan’s Girl of the Year award in recognition of her outstanding work for The Back Up Trust, which she continues to support, organising the charity’s City Dinner in London.
After a year at Brighton Art College, studying for her diploma Sophie was then offered an unconditional place on the Fine Arts Degree course at Goldsmiths University, London.
In 2008, Sophie appeared in the BBC 3 Series, Britain’s Missing Top Model, in which she competed with 7 other disabled girls. She was selected as runner up in the finals.
Jon Pritchard
Jon heard about volunteering in a newsletter and he hasn’t looked back since. For Jon volunteering is all about helping people. He helps Mencap and other charities, works in teams, works in the community and has fun! “If you are volunteering the charity gets stronger and stronger, it’s great, and I don’t think there is a worst thing about volunteering”.
Jon went on a Train the Trainer course and is now using his new skills to train other people about volunteering.
Dennis Rogers
Dennis has been volunteering with Thames Reach for three years. At first, his involvement was about keeping himself safe. But now it is about Dennis helping and encouraging other people.
“Volunteering is my way of giving back. I am a befriender, which involves taking people out and helping them with their feelings of isolation. Sometimes this could be to attend a hospital appointment or day out at a museum. I also organise social events such as bingo and encourage people to get involved in activities such as arts, crafts, poetry, guitar or Spanish lessons”.
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Bernadette Spellman
Bernadette has been volunteering with Mencap as a co-trainer since March 2007. Bernadette delivers ‘You Can Volunteer’ Training to groups of people with a learning disability, and Learning Disability Awareness Training to volunteer involving organisations, alongside a trainer from The Volunteering Team. Bernadette can’t wait to put to use what she has learnt on the Train the Trainer course and tell other people with a learning disability what they can get out of volunteering.
"Volunteering with Mencap has given me lots more independence and the confidence to travel on my own…Working towards the qualification made me feel really proud. It’s hard work but it’s worth it!"
Community Channel thanks all the volunteers above and the organisations they help for the use of their inspirational stories.
Helping others can help you. Volunteer
