Michelle - volunteer liaison
"My past and present volunteering experiences have given me the confidence to pursue working as an Information and Advice Worker for disabled people. I also plan to continue volunteering; my goal is to achieve 10 years of volunteering!"
Having first found out about volunteering at Scope through reading the Disabled Students Work Booklet and then phoning Scope's Volunteering Strategy Team to have a chat to find out more, 29-year-old Michelle has been doing the role of Volunteer Liaison for just over a month now.
Scope's reputation as the leading UK disability charity attracted Michelle to volunteer with us. With the support of the Inclusive Volunteering Programme (supporting disabled people to find accessible, interesting and meaningful volunteering opportunities), Michelle has become a very valuable member of our team within Scope's main office in London.
As Volunteer Liaison, Michelle helps to encourage and support other volunteers within Scope including those that give their time and commitment to the running of our charity shops and services all around the country, offices, fundraising campaigns including our Time to Get Equal Week and generally raising awareness and supporting Scope's mission. This role is really important as Scope has approximately 10,000 volunteers and is hoping to reach our target of attracting one million supporters by 2012.
When chatting about her experience at Scope so far Michelle told us, "The high point of volunteering at Scope has been acknowledging how my confidence has grown since starting. I have achieved a lot through developing admin skills, learning development, meeting friendly people and working on projects/places that I wouldn't think is possible."
As well as offering her time, skills and commitment to Scope's Inclusive Volunteering Project, Michelle is currently completing a college course and hopes to start further courses in September. Michelle has been volunteering for seven years in many different roles and organisations including Young Arthritis as a Telephone Contact, Stroke Survivors as an Activity Worker, Information Worker at Blackfriars Crown Court for Prisoners, Families and Friends and Lambeth Mencap supporting adults with learning disabilities. Michelle is also volunteering on Camberwell Magistrates Court's Help Desk Service alongside her role at Scope!
Michelle feels that all the organisations she has volunteered for have been very "disability friendly / orientate" and she has had the support she's needed to overcome any disabling barriers she may have faced. Michelle continues, "Over the years I have gained a lot from volunteering such as: skills, confidence, friends, the ability to challenge new projects and the confidence to pursue other things such as studying and pursuing my ideal career. I would recommend volunteering as it helps you to develop as an individual whilst at the same time helping a good cause. Volunteering also helps you understand about the diverse issues that affect people in the community today, and surprisingly helps you to understand more about yourself through supporting other people. I would also recommend trying volunteering with projects that you would not otherwise consider (in a paid job) as it helps you to bring out and develop skills you may not realise that you have.
Scope aims to have one million supporters by 2020, can you help?