What Volunteering Means To Me

These are the voices of the Experts by Experience our Lived Experience Peer Mentors – many of us have been involved since the beginning of the Collective and regularly volunteer to deliver projects such as Brew Crew and we facilitate the Critical Moments Programme. We work to encourage people who are homeless to join the Collective and share their experiences.

Sue

Sue

lived experience co-ordinator

I started working for Herring House Trust in 2001, I worked in the hostel, in the resettlement team and worked doing street outreach in the community. I went back part-time to university and acquired my Certificate of Higher Education in Substance Misuse.

I was then offered the opportunity to set up an abstinent unit which is based in the hostel in 2012. Over the last twelve years, the project has grown and those who have lived in the High Support Unit have been part of the journey that steered the scheme into what it has become today, Discover to Recover.

I have always worked in a client-led way ensuring that what is being offered to clients fits with who it is designed for. I heard all the time from clients “that services tell us what we want, and we would like to have input and explain what we feel we need and this be acted upon. It is no good listening to us, ticking a box and then moving on without things changing.” The Lived Experience Collective has now been set up to ensure that this changes.

If we have client-led services, they work a lot better and the benefits are proven. In doing this we empower those who are using the service, they are part of the journey, they know their voices are being heard and listened to and they can build what is right for them.

I am very proud of the work that The Lived Experience Collective has achieved. They developed different groups and activities such as One Cup, Brew Crew, Human Library Sessions and most recently The Critical Moments programme which has helped to change perceptions and build confidence and self-esteem not only those of the group but in the wider community.

All members of The Lived Experience Collective have their own unique multitude of skills and talents which they are able to share with others, and together, they have built a solid community dedicated to changing systems, letting their voices be heard and empowering others to do the same. They have changed lives and will continue to do so as they move forward with the work that they do.

I have been part of HHT for ten years and I volunteer because I want to learn and give insight into things to help others in the community.

Eight years ago I came to HHT and I now volunteer as it gives me a sense of purpose and allows me to give back.

For me, being part of the team is a massive achievement, and I am grateful for having the opportunity to use my experiences for the good of society. I am proud to be part of the team and use my input as part of the group's decisions.

I moved into HHT eight years ago and went through the abstinence unit process and I am now in a move on flat. I have always engaged with groups and activities which has led on to being part of the Lived Experience Team. I enjoy helping others and seeing them do well and it’s a good reminder of where I could be if I don’t keep doing what I am doing.

I have always had the same ethos in life of always look after your friends and family. This ethos also applies to anywhere I’ve worked professionally as work colleagues also become friends. When volunteering, it helps me keep active mentally and physically and I try to keep to the same professional standards. The best part of volunteering is you get to meet a wider variety of people who have a wider variety of health issues for various reasons. This adds to your own knowledge base which in turn helps yourself and also allows you to be better equipped to help others in future. The entire planet is basically a living organism and if components of that organism are unwell then ultimately the entire living organism suffers.

I came to HHT ten years ago, the first two years I was drinking and then I suddenly realised that this needed to change as I had had substance misuse since the age of 12. I got sober and now I volunteer to help people in a similar situation that I had been, in order that they can believe they can do it too.

I joined HHT five years ago although I was abstinent and knew the group for a further three years. I needed support for my mental health/ anxiety and financial abuse. Once I felt stronger I wanted to volunteer to give back to those who helped me at HHT and in the community. It has given me the confidence to be myself and join in with lots of different volunteer experiences.

My confidence has grown which has led to me being able to talk about my feelings and listen to others.