My story as a volunteer started years ago when my children were little. I have always enjoyed helping in my community especially since I am from Spain so getting involved in associations, local committees and all sorts of volunteering has always been, for me, a way to get to know people and make friends as well as helping in whichever role I could.
Over the years I have enjoyed helping as a volunteer with the Girl Guides, school parent’s associations, Sunday after mass coffee dock at the local church, and most recently at the Covid vaccination Centre.
Now I am volunteering a few hours a week as a buddy at St. Joseph’s Dementia Centre in Shankill. To see the resident’s faces ‘light up” when they see us arriving is priceless. It is so rewarding to know that you are contributing to their well-being and that you are bringing a smile to their faces…
I would recommend volunteering to anybody in whatever shape or form you can because you get so much satisfaction from helping as well as making connections with people at a time when there is so much technology and we run the risk of being more isolated. The recent pandemic has shown us how important human connections are so again volunteering is a wonderful way to keep connected with our peers.
It is a wonderful gift to be able to give our time as little as it may be to people who need us.
Get involved in your community.
I promise you that you will not regret it.