I was a university student, studying accountancy but dropped out due to poor health and then worked as a security guard before joining Touchstone. I was once a service user with Touchstone and was introduced to the Touchstone volunteering course by my housing officer. I have been volunteering for two years now. I don’t visit service users but I see them in the drop-in at the Support Centre on a weekly basis.
I support with emotional and practical issues. At the drop-in I assist in the office, engage service users by playing games and other activities e.g. pool, and also assist in the kitchen with serving food and tidying up. Due to volunteering in supporting service users with emotional and practical issues I can say that through this I have achieved self-confidence, experience, knowledge, sense of responsibility and skills. I approach service users with a sympathetic manner and am very compassionate towards people. This makes me feel like I am supporting them in some way and making a difference.
I love the responsibility that I have in the running of the drop in. I am very committed and reliable. This is due to team working which I have achieved and learnt the importance of team working. I am a people’s person
and get on with everyone including staff members. I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award 2015 which made me feel that I was valued and acknowledged for the work I did and still do.
Touchstone Annual Review 2015-2016
