Since I was very young, I have always wanted to help others, and as the years have gone by and more opportunities have come my way through, school, college and university I have always been first to raise my hand to help in any way that I can. And I had always planned to take a year off to volunteer after university, so when this opportunity came up to join the team of volunteers at Welcome Change I jumped straight in, and I haven’t looked back since. This place means the world to me and so do the people, I have seen firsthand the effect Welcome Change has had on the community and the people that come through its doors. The staff are lovely and supportive to me, I know that if I am struggling with anything I can go to anyone of them, and they will try their best to help me.
Welcome Change has had a huge effect on me and my life. During lockdown I lost all my confidence and social skills, and I was determined to get myself back out into the world. Since being here I have become a social butterfly that you can’t shut up talking. But I have greatly been made to feel like a member of the team and really valued.
Since becoming an employee, I have been given more responsibility with the inner workings of Welcome Change and it has really helped me grow skills like communication, team building, multitasking, problem solving, time management, and money management – this has greatly impacted my life and I know I am building skills for my future.
Volunteering has made me feel more capable of really getting the job done to a high standard as I have learnt the skills that are needed to be able to thrive in the community setting. Welcome Change has helped me out immensely! And I owe them a lot for helping to get me back onto my feet and into employment I’m taking on the world with more confidence than I began with, so a huge thank you to Welcome Change. If it wasn’t for you all I wouldn’t be the person I am today, so I am incredibly grateful.