Volunteers' Week

We know how volunteering can be so valuable for many reasons so, this Volunteers' Week we are showcasing the value and benefits that volunteering can bring to all.

There are many ways people choose to volunteer such as supporting local communities, to help to learn new skills or to help others and to give back. All of these reasons bring lots of benefits to the volunteer, the place or people they are volunteering with and also to the wider community, including:

• providing a sense of purpose
• providing a sense of community
• meeting new friends
• developing social skills
• improving self-esteem
• an opportunity to learn new skills
• developing skills to support with employment
• improving health and wellbeing

Knowing the value and benefits of volunteering we are keen to support and encourage everyone to get involved in volunteering in some way, however big or small and here are some of the ways in which we support volunteering at Persona.

Liz & Gill Volunteering at Jigsaw

Liz and Gill, who use our Supported Living service, have been volunteering for Jigsaw Social Group. Their roles involve going on trips to Blackpool, Chester Zoo, going for meals out and much more.

Their job is to make sure fellow members are comfortable and have all they need during these trips.

When we asked Gill why she wanted to volunteer, she said she wanted to get more experience and help fellow members when they need assistance. Liz says 'It makes me happy, helping the members to stay safe and enjoy their activities. I get to see different places and do things I wouldn’t normally do. I have made some good friends at Jigsaw and look forward to seeing everybody'.

For more about Liz and Gill’s volunteering experience click here. 

Lucy Volunteering at Bleakholt

Lucy, who is supported through our Shared Lives scheme, took up the opportunity to volunteer at Bleakholt, a local animal sanctuary in Bury.  Through volunteering she gained the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to be successful in gaining employment at Bleakholt.  Read more about her story here. 

Volunteering with us

We also offer opportunities for people to come and volunteer within our teams at Persona. This is a great opportunity to:

• find out more about what is involved in working with social care to see if this could be your career of choice
• develop your knowledge and the skills involved in working within social care
• give back and share your passions and talents

To find out more about how to get involved at Persona click here.