The power of volunteering
“I’d volunteered at Teddington for six months before getting a paid role at the BHF and it’s just brilliant to be back in the world of employment. Spending a long time away from work can make you become very isolated and unconfident. Volunteering was key to turning this around. Within three months, I felt transformed.That first step into volunteering was made easy, applying online through MyVolunteer was a really simple process – you don’t need a CV or cover letter to apply. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to get back into the swing of being in a working environment at a pace that suited me. With volunteering being less pressured than paid work, there’s not as many expectations on you, so it helped to break the mental barrier I held towards getting a job and it made me believe in myself again. Being in a supportive environment gave me newfound confidence to apply to paid work and think, “I can actually do that job!” The team at Teddington encouraged me to be myself and to open-up about my own congenital heart condition. I felt visible and heard again.
Working at the BHF
In all honesty, starting a new job did feel a little overwhelming, but for me it’s a bit like swimming when you haven’t done that for many years. Jumping in can feel terrifying at first, but once you do, you quickly remember you already know how to do it and you soon get your technique back. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to first dip my toes back in the water and to build up the confidence to take that (albeit slightly scary) jump back into the metaphorical pool of work!
Since working, my mood has lifted massively, and my parents say I’m unrecognisable to the person I was before joining the BHF. My anxiety levels have eased, and so has my depression. Working at the BHF means I can continue to support a charity that means so much to me and for the BHF to benefit from the skills I’ve gained from volunteering – it’s a win win!"
Are you inspired by Chris’s story and looking to get into paid employment? Find out more details.