My Volunteering Journey with Freshwinds Charity

By John Connor

I first joined Freshwinds Charity as a volunteer in the summer of 2006 and have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Having developed Juvenile Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis as a child, which left me with a severe disability, I have always been extremely anxious and apprehensive about plucking up the courage to join a new organisation as a volunteer. Needless to say I had nothing to worry about, straight away I had a good vibe about the place as the staff were extremely friendly and made me feel very welcome.

Before I knew it I was part of an ever expanding team of volunteers and was placed as an admin assistant in the Freshwinds Information and Disability Advice Service (FInDA), whereby I could utilise my IT skills having previously studied with the Open University.

For a period of 2 years I supported the FinDA team by developing and implementing new databases, designing new standard documents for the advisers to use and designing posters to advertise the service. While undertaking this work, I was also encouraged to further develop my skills and experience by training to become an advice worker. With this I was successfully supported to gain a work based NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance and since then I have become part of the Advice and Welfare Services team in my own right.

I now have my own set of clients and I am responsible for the Grant Application Service, as well as supporting clients to access their statutory entitlements and / or apply for benefits relating to a disability or illness.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it sure has. I can’t believe 5 years have passed since I began to volunteer at Freshwinds. Not only has the time given me a sense of self-worth within the voluntary sector, but I also feel that I have developed more as a person. During my time at Freshwinds I also feel I have further developed my life skills, in terms of feeling generally more confident in myself and with my ability to socially interact with colleagues, inter-agency personnel and the general public.

In fact, as well as volunteering at Freshwinds I felt motivated about approaching and engaging as a volunteer with another agency called Birmingham Arthritis Resource Centre. After successfully negotiating with managerial personnel, I now offer an Outreach Advice Service through Freshwinds to clients, carers and families of people affected with musculoskeletal conditions.

Volunteering at Freshwinds has also made me feel proud to be part of team and an organisation that provides essential services to members of the public who otherwise may feel vulnerable and isolated from society. Not least of all, I have found volunteering a fantastic way to make new friends and expand my social life. At the moment I feel extremely happy to be a volunteer with Freshwinds and know that I will continue to offer my time as long as I am able too.