I met Ivy at Helen and Douglas Children Hospice Charity Shop in Wokingham as they celebrated their 40 years anniversary. Ivy was serving customers and helping out around the store. The Shop Manager Anastasia Cipriani explained to me the great help that Ivy was doing and was so proud of how Ivy had blossomed in her time working in the shop. This is Ivy’s story
My name is ivy, I have been volunteering with Helen and Douglas for 2 months. When I first joined I was very shy, I found it hard to communicate with people and had very bad self-esteem. I spent time in care and with foster parents. Growing up I always struggled with anxiety and suffered with depression. Volunteering for Helen and Douglas house has helped grow my confidence immensely and I have learned countless skills. I have a lovely circle of friends now who are caring and loving, and I have met them from the Wokingham Helen and Douglas store. Volunteering has given me new hope for my future and has provided me with opportunities to progress in life. I am grateful for the experience and support I have received and would like to thank Ana and Lorraine especially and the rest of the team for helping me grow.
It’s fantastic to see how volunteering has helped Ivy and is an inspiration for us all. In a world where we can work from home and not gain experience in face to face interactions, it’s easy to become withdrawn or lose confidence in new situations. COVID-19 locked us all away and it’s clear it has affected many of our young people who are just starting out. Volunteering is a great way to get started with less pressure than a full-time paid role it could be just the thing to help someone you may know.
Volunteering clearly helps you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement. Volunteering can help broaden your life experience by meeting different kinds of people and making new friends. We all like to feel a part of something and join organisations such as Helen & Douglas can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family. Stepping out your comfort zone will always make you feel a sense of achievement and volunteering will do just that. Most of all you can also have fun.
My thanks to Ivy for sharing her story. If you know someone just like Ivy share her story
Search volunteering opportunities at Helen & Douglas Volunteers and Wokingham Volunteer Centre to see how you can move your life forward
