Barbara James is a circle facilitator with Equal Futures
WHETHER I should volunteer was never a question I had to ask myself. It was really only when, how and who with.
During my many years as a district nurse I witnessed volunteering in action, together with the positive outcome this had for my patients, their families and carers. This inspired me to pursue volunteering. Prior to my retirement in 2013 I actively began to explore opportunities.
I was very excited and looked forward to finding out what was out there. However, my volunteering had to be put on hold as I had the opportunity to work as a temporary support worker in a care centre, where my role was to assess and support carers to access services which would endeavour to alleviate their caring role. That lasted for three years!
I then began to explore where I would be of most use, and this lead me to volunteering with MS Revive in their cafe one morning a week, in the ward at my local hospice one afternoon a week and more recently with Equal Futures for two to three hours per week.
The Equal Futures project currently provides a service in Glasgow mainly through the East End Carers Centre. My role as a circle facilitator is to work with a focus person who is autistic to try and end their loneliness and isolation by expanding their circle of friends. I do this by sourcing local services that will support the person to build social networks of people who offer support and friendship.
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I have now been successfully matched with a young adult with similar interests to mine (coffee, crafts and dogs). In the past year, this has resulted in a befriending relationship developing with my focus person, who is slowly gaining my trust.
I am very much enjoying this volunteering role. It is essential to have a good sense of humour, to be patient, be a good listener and do a little bit of creative thinking! However, I am not working in isolation, as I am very well supported by my local project co-ordinator, who meets with me regularly for support and supervision sessions.
Equal Futures acknowledges the vital contribution volunteers make. The organisation recognises the added value we bring, due to the wealth of experience from our different and varied backgrounds, work, life skills and culture.
Research tells us that volunteering supports good all-round health and increases the feeling of wellbeing for the volunteer. There is nothing to beat the good feeling I get when I have made a positive difference (even in a small way) to my focus person’s day.
Volunteering in general can also be fun, I would advise anybody considering volunteering to get out there and do it. You only need to be available a few hours a week.
Moreover, volunteering with Equal Futures has broadened my horizons by getting me out of the house, meeting new people, gaining new experiences and keeping me fit. I suggest you GO FOR IT!
To find out more about Equal Futures and volunteering, contact Project Coordinator Ekta Marwaha by email (ekta@equalfutures.org.uk) or phone (07391 011912)
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