5th June 2024

Name: Tracey

Job/volunteer role: Peer support, assisting in different activities such as arts and crafts, knitting and sewing, and facilitating a women’s circle group.

I’ve been involved with Hestia for several years now. I came in as a service user. At that time, I was very unwell and was undergoing therapy for complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was also receiving floating support with Hestia and EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).

When I first started, I went to the Good Energy Club and I used to play badminton, meet people for coffee and chat with people. Gradually over time, my Floating Support Worker introduced me to re-establishing my skills and said that I had so much to give back to other service users in Hestia. So eventually I offered to volunteer. I started during COVID, online. I began delivering art sessions on my phone and because of the work I was doing Hestia gave me a tablet. From there I signed up and became an official volunteer and I have been for five years.

I’ve learned so much in my time here. I wouldn’t be alive without the facilities and support network that I’ve received at Hestia and other charities. They’ve enabled me to give back which I never thought would be possible. It’s given me my life back and then some.

I also joined the co-production team to visit other services that were delivering activities for children and families escaping domestic abuse, and those coming out of prison who are starting to rebuild their lives. I signed up to be part of the Together Network and I’ve loved being so proactive with Hestia.

I’ve learned so much in my time here. I wouldn’t be alive without the facilities and support network that I’ve received at Hestia and other charities. They’ve enabled me to give back which I never thought would be possible. It’s given me my life back and then some.

Seeing service users really discover themselves and watching them awaken old skills that have been dead for so long because they’ve been so crushed, is so inspirational.

The most wonderful thing about [volunteering] is seeing service users that have come into our services, broken and to be able to help them in a way that sets them on a path to begin to evolve and grow. I’ve come to see them grow in leaps and bounds because of the work I’ve been able to assist them with. I’ve really enjoyed helping to put them back on their feet and give them a sense of purpose and to also empower them to get involved in volunteering as well. I say to them, “When you’ve been through trauma yourself, the best people to help other people are those that have experienced it.” I tell them, “You have no idea just what you can bring and what you are already doing by just simply turning up to these activities.”

Seeing service users really discover themselves and watching them awaken old skills that have been dead for so long because they’ve been so crushed, is so inspirational. It humbles me and yet I’m so proud of them and their achievements because I know how difficult it is to come back from things that you didn’t think would be possible to come back from.

During my time of volunteering, I have learned about professionalism and boundaries which is important in a volunteer role. I have been able to educate myself through courses online and have gone on to learn more about co-production, managerial skills, presentation skills and being able to talk in public. I used to teach so it’s enabled me to build that confidence to speak more professionally, eloquently, and clearly in public. I still get nervous, but I don’t feel uncomfortable doing it. So academically I’ve learnt a huge amount, gained many skills, and refreshed old skills as well. I’ve really discovered who I am, because of that.

I’ve always been valued and appreciated here [at Hestia].

Everyone has something they can give whether it be an ear to listen, or to befriend someone through a telephone conversation, or to take them and do a bit of shopping with them - no matter how small. Volunteering your time is something that helps others feel valued as a human being. That they’re worth noticing and deserve to feel like they belong.

I feel like I’m acknowledged not just by my colleagues but also by service users who I’ve met at Hestia. I’ve always been valued and appreciated here. I believe that volunteering can also help with your recovery from traumatic experiences or coming out of a depressive state because it enables you to get into a routine and meet like-minded people that might also understand how you feel. From that, you can also gain academic skills, go on and do some training and eventually turn your volunteer role into a paid role somewhere. It can help you get back on your feet. It has a huge impact on your self-esteem and confidence and that’s why I promote the volunteering roles.

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