Building confidence through volunteering

Volunteering can have a wide range of benefits, not least helping to improve people’s confidence and communication skills, as one experienced volunteer explains to a member of our FOOD Club team…

(Note that we have changed the identity of the interviewee to protect anonymity.)

Hi, I’m ****. I am 20 years old and I suffer with anxiety and have autism. I enjoy reading, watching films and being with animals.

I have been volunteering at FOOD Club for about a year now. Back then I was in a place where I didn’t have a job and I was stuck inside – I needed to get out, try doing something new, and challenge myself.

I enjoy helping people who need food. I think I’ve become more confident talking to people. I’m not very good at talking to people – and volunteering has made me get better at socialising with new people.

I really like doing everything here at FOOD Club. I love talking to all the kids and all the people coming into the club, especially when you have got to know them.

There are lots of courses you can do, to put on your CV. You can help people, and also get out of your shell and meet new people.

I have recently started dog walking for my new job. Volunteering has helped me become better at talking to the dog owners, because I have been talking to new people at FOOD Club every week.

FOOD Club would like to thank ****.  for all their hard work at the club, and wish them all the best with their new paid role.