Emily’s story

Can you tell us your name and what you do as a volunteer?
My name is Emily. I’ve been a shop volunteer for over four years where I mostly operate the till, put out new stock and items, and organise when and where I can.

What was happening in your life when you decided to get involved?
I started volunteering when I was in the process of doing my A-levels. It was a very anxious time and I wasn’t leaving the house much because I was so concerned with everything that was going on. A friend at the time was volunteering through St Gemma’s and recommended it as a way to focus your mind on something else for a few hours, speak with people, and get out of the house, so I decided to apply.

What’s your favourite part of what you do?
I thought initially that I’d really struggle with making conversation with customers and other staff and volunteers as I tend to be a quiet and reserved person, even more so when I first started. However, with time this absolutely became my favourite part. It’s so nice to be able to hear snippets of how people are doing and to be able to build up that confidence speaking with people over time.

Can you share a moment that really stayed with you?
Occasionally people will choose to share their own experience of receiving support through St Gemma’s. Every experience I’ve heard has been so overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear how much that support meant to them and how critical it was in navigating such difficult, distressing, and overwhelming times.

Has volunteering changed anything for you personally?
I feel a lot more capable when it comes to speaking to people, as well as seeking out new experiences. Before volunteering with St Gemma’s, I felt as though stepping into unfamiliar experiences would potentially just lead to embarrassment when I wasn’t able to do everything correctly or made mistakes. The wholly encouraging, patient, and supportive environment that I was met with while volunteering in the shop has shown me that this is not true in the right spaces.

How would you describe the people you volunteer with?
Just wonderful. Some of the kindest, friendliest and warmest people that I have ever met, and some connections I know I would want to have for life.

Has anything been challenging about volunteering? How did you overcome it?
My shyness was probably the most difficult barrier when I first started, as I struggled with talking with customers at first. However, I found that this dissipated over time through the encouragement of those in the shop to start opening up and feel more comfortable with engaging in friendly conversations. The second biggest challenge was managing my volunteering shifts around studying. However, I found that having space to not think about my exams for a few hours at a time was helpful in allowing me to relax around stressful assessments. Everyone at the shop was also incredibly understanding when I needed to take time off to focus on intense deadlines.

What keeps you coming back?
The staff and volunteers that I’m lucky enough to share my shifts with have always made me feel welcome and comfortable. It’s a space that allows me to truly decompress and focus on my tasks rather than anything else going on in my life.

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
Go for it. If you find out it’s not for you and only go in for a few weeks, or even if you only volunteer for a handful of hours at a time, it all makes a difference. If you find that you really enjoy it, as I did, the time volunteering through St Gemma’s really does pass so quickly.

Why do you think volunteering is important?
Local services and resources are facing a great amount of strain at the moment. Giving back does not have to be huge, the small things do add up. There are so many different roles and tasks that you can choose from, each one of them is important and allows incredible organisations like St Gemma’s to continue with the amazing work that they are doing.

If you could sum up your volunteering experience in one sentence, what would it be?
The best decision I’ve made for building relationships, skills, and confidence that continues to shape my life.