Sam's Volunteering Story
Having held a number of exciting, interesting and challenging volunteering roles, Sam Dewhurst who has ME kindly gave Scope this insight into her volunteering experiences.
I can't really remember when I decided to volunteer as it seems like I have been doing it forever, I think it just comes naturally. I love going out and helping people however I can. For a long time I have helped with Sunday School for children at my local Church and now I'm also a Youth Leader at a club called Revellers, which is great fun but can sometimes be challenging! I also mentor two young disabled people at a different club who are doing their Bronze Youth Achievement Awards. As I have done my Silver and am now doing my Gold, I am able to help them through theirs.
For the last three years I have also been fundraising for an orphanage in Uganda and have organised lots of different events, making and selling cards and jewellery to raise £1,373 so far. I also recently attended a fundraising lunch organised by Clubs for Young People (CYP) which was held at an exclusive restaurant in town and hosted by Rupert Hambro. I gave a presentation about my experiences as a volunteer to a group of business and high-profile people which included Ian Duncan Smith. It was such a successful evening.
Another real passion of mine, something I feel very strongly about, is fighting for the rights of disabled people. I have been in contact with many Councillors and MPs and organised a meeting with my local MP to ask her questions about this subject - I believe that we should all be treated equally and want to raise as much awareness as I can!
My high points are being able to encourage people and let them know that they can achieve things in life whether they have difficulties or not. I feel I have a lot to give and enjoy letting people know I am there for them and that they can trust me.
As well as doing my Youth Achievement Gold and Duke of Edinburgh Gold, I have achieved other awards including my Millennium Volunteers Award and have also been nominated for the Nationwide Award. It was great fun collecting my Millennium Volunteers Award and I felt really proud as you can see in this photograph of me (far left) and some friends after the ceremony on 29 April this year.
I love the volunteering I do and can't really say that there have been any low points. I haven't experienced any real barriers that have stopped me doing what I want to do, although there have been some frustrating times when I haven't been able to do things such as running or sometimes when my illness has played up. Generally everything is a high point (although that doesn't mean it has always been easy!) I have learnt so much from my volunteering experiences so far and plan to continue to volunteer for a long time to come. It's made me a lot more confident in speaking out and I am able to organize events really well now. It has given me good communication skills and I have gained a lot of knowledge, which has made me wiser. Volunteering gives me happiness and laughter, lots of different experiences and a purpose in my life.
I would recommend other disabled people to do as much volunteering as they can. Don't ever be put off by your impairment as we are all the same and should have the same opportunities. Hold your head up high and be proud of who you are. I would like to tell people not to worry about having no qualifications, I used to worry all the time but volunteering gives you so many experiences and if you have not worked before it gives you an insight into work and prepares you for the future.
I have lots of plans including working with young disabled people or be a counsellor. I am also going to the orphanage to meet my children I have been fundraising for and will continue to do all I can to keeping supporting them. I would really like to set up a support group for people who have ME in my local area too and will of course keep fighting for disabled people's rights.
Volunteering really has changed my life!
Back to volunteering page.