London Marathon 2018;
This Volunteers’ Week, we catch up with volunteers and staff from across Livability to hear how it adds up in their area. With good support, innovative care and positive community connections, people’s health and life outcomes can do much better.
But, we can’t do it alone – we rely on our family of volunteers to help people connect with their community. From befriending schemes, cheering people on at Livability events, connecting communities, running dementia friendly churches, growing awareness, being a speaker or ambassador, or offering your time and skills, there are all sorts of roles for volunteers at Livability. It all adds up!
Ian started supporting Livability West in December. Livability West provides person-centred care and support, enabling adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, including dementia, to live as independently as possible. Here’s what Deputy Manager Tracy has to say:
“The volunteer role in our service in Stroud has been unbelievably beneficial to not only the individuals that live there but to our staff team as well. Our volunteer Ian, has provided support and happiness to the individuals that reside there and in all honesty I don’t think we would be able to do without him now!”
Gwen has been volunteering at Livability East Midlands since 2011. She speaks to us about her time supporting people there:
“When I first started coming to the Links, it was in the role of a mum, but the more I came to help with the sessions, the more I developed a personal bond with all the people I was supporting, until the point where I felt right at home. The greatest joys of being a volunteer are the smiles you see when someone is truly enjoying their day. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Livability National Office is also a hub of volunteering, with over 14 individuals supporting departments over the last 12 months.
“Marion’s help has been invaluable and she’s an absolute asset to the Community Engagement Team supporting with admin and research as well as being a joy to have with us at Greenbelt Festival.” Bernadette, Partnerships Manager
Volunteers at Greenbelt Festival
Alain Forbes, Head of IT Quality & Support cannot speak highly enough of Li Ming Chin, “ICS Support Volunteer Li Ming volunteered to help in my team in IT and has been absolutely fantastic throwing herself in with great enthusiasm, competence and professionalism in the months she has been with us. She has now successfully applied for a paid job within Livability, which, I believe, is great for both her and Livability. It has been a real pleasure to have worked with her and she is a credit to herself.”
Livability welcomes volunteers into all aspects of its work. Livability Victoria Education Centre (VEC) opened up an opportunity within its HR department last year and that’s when Sucheta joined the team.
“I have had the privilege of working in the HR department for the last seven months. It has been a very rewarding and fruitful experience. Not only is this for a very good cause, I have learnt a lot of new skills by working here. Emma (HR manager) has gone the extra mile to understand my requirements for learning new HR skills and given me the opportunities to develop those skills, which is great. She has truly been my mentor throughout my tenure at VEC. Everyone I have worked here with has been very friendly and helpful and a big shout out to all the folks in the HR department – thank you.”
Seeing everyone as equal partners, we invite you to work with and alongside the people we support to create opportunities that connect people with their communities. Francesca Williams, Volunteering Coordinator explains:
“In my role, I have the pleasure of matching exceptional people with volunteer roles in their area. I believe that everyone has something to bring to their community and Livability volunteers are proudly leading by example all across the country.”
If you are interested in becoming a Livability volunteer and want to find out more, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us: volunteering@livability.org.uk
Livability, 6 Mitre Passage, London SE10 0ER.
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