Volunteers’ Week: Stories from Gateshead

1-7 June is National Volunteers’ Week - a chance to say ‘thank you’ and celebrate the incredible difference that volunteers make. As we get things up and running for the new Gateshead Volunteer Centre, we’ve gathered a few stories from people who volunteer with local organisations, to find out more about their volunteering journey and the difference it has made.

 

Lynn Purvis – volunteer at Teams Life Centre

Lynn has volunteered as a caretaker and cleaner at Teams Life Centre for over 10 years. She is married with four boys and has lived the Teams for most of her life. Lynn used to go to the Teams Life Centre years ago with her Mother and she first got involved with volunteering when she was asked to help run the bingo every week.

Teams Life Centre said that volunteering has had a big impact on Lynn’s confidence and skills development: “Lynn said she had very little confidence but now she has confidence to do whatever the job requires including talking to lots of different people.  She has received training in many areas including youth work, safeguarding and first aid.”

Lynn’s role makes a real difference to the organisation: “Lynn knows the building and the local area and people very well which makes very good links for the Centre.”

When asked about where she sees herself in five years, Lynn said “still doing what I’m doing now because I love it.”

 

Farzane Rahimi – volunteer for Peace of Mind CIO

Farzane arrived to the UK as an asylum seeker and is now a refugee. She first heard about Peace of Mind from her caseworker when she moved to Gateshead. Initially, Farzane sought support from Peace of Mind during the pandemic in 2020 but she soon expressed an interest in helping the community.

“I applied to be a volunteer for Peace of Mind and became an active volunteer at the weekly drop-in sessions”

“Working as a volunteer had great effects in my life. Like improving my self-confidence, finding friends as being part of the POM community centre – learn new skills and find more experience in the UK. Having fun during the summer trips and working with children during holiday schemes has been amazing.”

Peace of Mind said: “Farzane is one of the most exceptionally talented and hardworking volunteers we have ever had in our team. Farzane is brilliant in everything she does. She has been an outstanding support at our weekly sessions - distributing essential items of need such as emergency food parcels, clothing and toiletries to those in need.”

“Farzane has been a massive help in translating for people, who speak the same language. Farzane helped a number of existing and newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers by providing opportunities for social inclusion and offering them help with other types of emotional and practical needs.”

“Farzane has made a number of our projects/services (mainly our ‘weekly drop-in sessions’ and ‘Brighten The Day’ summer schemes) successful by bringing in new opinions, ideas and approaches. This has helped Peace of Mind CIO to adapt, stay relevant to what our beneficiaries and community need as well as identifying opportunities to improve what we do in a more effective and efficient way.”

“We can never Thank Farzane enough for her outstanding support as a volunteer for Peace of Mind charity.”

We asked Farzane where do you see yourself this time in five years?

“In 5 years I hope I find a full time job, but I like to do volunteering besides that as well. When I arrived here I was alone and I didn't know anyone until I met the Peace of Mind team and Sara and Sam. They helped me to feel better and improve my mental health, especially during Covid situation, when I felt lonely and isolated. But when I started to go there, I felt much better after their help and working with them as a team."

"I like to have the same good effect on another person's life. Especially after 5 years that I have more experience about living in the UK.”

 

Jemma Logan – volunteer at St Chads Community Project

Jemma has volunteered in various ways for around three years. She has supported the Parent and Toddlers group at St Chads for over a year and more recently began volunteering for the Women’s Group.

“I am currently doing my Level 2 Health and Social Care course and Caring for Children course. I have a passion for helping others within the community and my family is my world. I heard about the role at Parent and Toddlers through the family support worker at St Chads. [For] the Women’s group, I asked if a group could be set up and I was lucky to be asked to be part of it.”

Jemma has found it to be a helpful and rewarding experience: “It has helped me in so many ways; I have learnt so many transferable skills, my confidence and self-esteem has improved, I have been able to make a difference not only for myself but for others. I have loved gaining the experience of working within the local community and I have made some lovely friends during my time in volunteering.”

In five years Jemma would like to be “still making a difference in the local community and helping others.”

 

Mahnoor Mansoor – volunteer at Peace of Mind CIO

Mahnoor was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK in 2012. She has been volunteering for eight years and first became involved with Peace of Mind at the beginning when the project was set up as a self-help group in 2014.

Volunteering has made a big difference for Mahnoor’s personal development: “I have become more confident, social and learned immense amount of skills that have helped me become more independent, responsible and increased my awareness of acknowledging things going around in our community.”

Peace of Mind said: “Mahnoor is one of the founder members and an important part of Peace of Mind. She brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and a diverse range of skills to POM charity over the last 8 years."

"Mahnoor helped a number of existing and newly arrived refugees/asylum seekers by providing opportunities for social inclusion, skills development and potential routes to employment. On the other hand, Mahnoor’s support has been outstanding in raising awareness about out charity’s cause, its profile and what it does including building relationships within the community and contribute to supporting others in the community."

"Mahnoor has made a number of our projects/services (mainly our ‘Brighten The Day’ summer schemes) successful by bringing in new opinions, ideas and approaches. This has helped Peace of Mind CIO to adapt, stay relevant to what our beneficiaries and community need as well as identifying opportunities to improve what we do in a more effective and efficient way. We can never thank enough for Mahnoor’s outstanding support as a volunteer for Peace of Mind charity.”

Mahnoor’s career aspirations for the next five years remain community-focused: “I see myself as a Community Welfare Support Worker in the next 5 years.”