Can you introduce yourself, and say a bit about your journey with Step Up?
I was referred to Step Up two years ago by my occupational therapist. I was experiencing severe anxiety and depression, following a series of major life events. I was having frequent panic attacks. I had no regular work. I had no confidence. I felt like the world had turned into a frightening place and daily life was overwhelming.
What do you normally do when you volunteer?
I applied to become a Community Befriender for Volunteer Centre Hackney. I was given training and then I was matched with a really lovely woman who wanted a befriender to visit her once a week or go out for coffee or for a walk or to the shops. We found that we had lots in common – similar values and opinions – and I think we both got a lot out of the befriending sessions. We had some amazing conversations and it really helped me with my confidence to be able to feel that was bringing something positive to another person’s life.
I also started volunteering for St Joseph’s Hospice, as part of their Empowered Living Team, visiting patients in their own homes and assisting them with their palliative physiotherapy exercise plans. It feels such a privilege to be involved in the work of the hospice and I love meeting the patients, hearing their stories and knowing that they look forward to my visits.
I came along to Step Up’s Wellbeing Workshops last year and I found them really helpful. It was a good way to meet other people on the programme and share our experiences, hopes and fears. I never could have imagined myself doing something like that before, but I discovered that I liked the feeling of being part of a group where everyone was so supportive of each other… I wasn’t just struggling with things on my own.
What difference has joining Step Up made to your life?
Step Up has made a huge difference to my life because it helped me to get my confidence back, get back into paid employment and to find a job that I really enjoy rather than just (working) to earn a living. I’m now working as a Family Support Worker, supporting children and young people with additional needs. It’s a very rewarding job and I love it. I’m still volunteering for the hospice once a week but I’m down to just one regular patient because of time constraints.
What do you most enjoy about volunteering?
What I enjoy most about volunteering is having the opportunity to try new things without the pressure that comes with paid work and also feeling that I am doing something that is helpful to other people. Before I started volunteering, I felt like a broken person in need of fixing. Now I feel like I have found a better way to go through life and I have a clearer view of what’s important to me.
What would you say to someone else thinking about volunteering?
To someone else thinking about volunteering I would say “Do it.” It’s not like working for free because you get so much out of it for yourself.
If Dawn’s story has encouraged you to volunteer in Hackney, check out our Volunteer Fair at Homerton Library on Wednesday 13 November. Discover more about our Step Up service here.