Celebrating Volunteers’ Week with Stories from our Very Own Volunteers
Volunteers’ Week is a long-standing, popular event in the voluntary sector, established in 1984. It is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of events across the UK. These events showcase and celebrate volunteers and the contribution volunteering makes in our communities
We will be celebrating Volunteers’ Week by sharing the journeys of some of our very own volunteers and what volunteering for Calan means to them.
Maggie’s Journey
Maggie is a survivor of domestic abuse and is drawing on her experience to support others who are accessing our services.
We would like to say a big thank you to Maggie for being part of Calan and for being a huge support to women in refuge and positively impacting their lives!
“My name is Maggie.
Thank God for the women’s refuge, I would not be here today if it was not for them. Like many women my age got married to young and got pregnant at seventeen and had to get on with things. When trouble started I went back to mum but was told to go back to him, iv made my bed and I had to go and lay on it, so time and time went back, no support there. I did think I could change him and convinced myself that his jealousy and temper would end one day, it never did. I always felt sorry for him being Adopted at the age of two.
In the end I did find the courage to leave him and the women’s refuge provided safety for me and to share my story to help other women.
The refuge provided me with the toolkit program and the freedom program and continued to support me and encourage me, and I’m truly grateful for that, I got here with a happy ending and its due to them for all their support, they have always shown me.
A very big thank you to the incredible team they all are, for encouraging me and enabling me to share my experiences with others, it’s a great privilege to work with you all.
Volunteering is great because it gives you a sense of worth as you support others, it makes you feel connected to the community around you.”
More Volunteers’ Stories
Today’s volunteer shares what a difference volunteering has made to her life. We want to say a big thank you to this wonderful volunteer for all she does and continues to do.
“Being part of Calan has made a big difference in my life,not only has it made me alot more confident,it has also started to bring back my creative side of things i used to do, and enjoy.
For example we had a charity fundraising event and i drew a logo for the gift bags.
The girls are amazing in the group,we get on very well, as we are a team and we
are there for one another. I Iove being part of calan as it has given me a direction as to what i want to do, and give back and help them anyway i can.”
Another of our volunteers shares how important volunteering is to her. Thank you for being part of Calan and for making such a difference!
“Calan is helping me find me again. Volunteering has given me a purpose and surrounds me with people who understand and appreciate me. I love being able to have the opportunity to give back. It really is my safe place.”
Contact Calan DVS
You can find out more about the work and support delivered by Calan DVS here or call us on the numbers below: