Testimonies from current and previous volunteers
“I’ve been a volunteer for the past 6 months and I enjoy it immensely. I volunteer one day a week, where my responsibilities include answering the SPOC phone, dealing with enquiries and directing calls, welcoming people into the building, monitoring the drop-in and carrying out whatever admin tasks need doing. I’ve been able to shadow workers, attend meetings and become involved in several interesting projects. I received amazing support and training. I had access to the elearning platform (which was a great way to learn more about the organisation) and I had the opportunity to attend several training courses on substance misuse. I would say volunteering is professionally and personally fulfilling, and it’s also great karma.”
Claire, volunteer
“Volunteering really changed my life and gave me a new career path to follow. I was given the opportunity to volunteer at a Barod drop-in centre which involved helping where possible and making lots of coffee/tea for people who were just desperate for somewhere to go, as was I at the time. I was unemployed and at a very low ebb in my life at the time, I had worked most of my life in ‘dictator-style’ managed organisations and was initially amazed that people were given freedom of choice, a voice and, more importantly, hope that they were better than they actually thought and could make a difference. My confidence, self-esteem and motivation levels gradually returned and I was soon offered a paid post. In March 2019 I celebrated 7 years employment with Barod ”
Rob, former volunteer, now a staff member
I have been a volunteer here for 12 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I always like to have work to do and I will do any work that the staff want me to do. It helps the staff so they can carry on with the important jobs they have to do.
Carol, volunteer