Case Study- Male 25

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Before I came to the centre I was unemployed for a number of years; this left me feeling really low and I had been suffering from depression. I’d passed my driving test but didn’t feel confident enough to drive and spent most of my time at home with my family. I knew going back to work would make my life better but needed some support to take that first step.  I found the Centre on a volunteering website, looked at the West End website and decided to apply for a volunteering position.

I wanted to do some admin work to update my skills, get me out more and build up my confidence levels by talking to other people, there were no admin vacancies, so I was offered a volunteer placement in the IT room.  As part of my placement I provided support to other people by just listening and talking, helping others to use the computers to make CV’s, job search, complete job applications, emails and find information.  I learnt lots of new skills, took part in volunteer training, gained a lot from helping others and all of this really boosted my self-esteem and made me feel I had more to offer when applying for jobs.  

When I used to go home after volunteering my sister noticed how bubbly and full of life I was, she decided to come to the centre with me and is currently a volunteer there too.

Volunteering at the centre has really changed my life, it gave me the confidence to apply for work and get out more.  I am now working full time for the Department of Work and Pensions and loving it, I've even bought myself a car and I'm driving.   I will be coming back to the centre to do some more volunteering later in the year through the giving back scheme at work. 

For anyone thinking of going to the centre, I'd say just take that first step. The people are so friendly and you get lots of support to achieve whatever it is you want to do.