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My volunteers are a treasured asset and their influence on my life really shows.

July has been an interesting month, I decided to allow people to get close to me again. It was a time for trying to fit all the loose ends together, take a long hard look at my life and figure out what is important to me, my friends and my family.  I have tried to repair relationships which have broken down recently and make stronger connections with people in general.

I feel a sense of rawness and although my instinct is to please others and whitewash my circumstances, I have found being open and letting my barriers down quite refreshing.  Together Co have been absolutely amazing, doing everything they can to help me.  My befriending coordinator, Tasha, has referred me to the Mind Advocacy service, while other members of the team have been at the end of the phone offering their much appreciated support.

I have seen Halima and Liz, my befrienders, regularly who have kept me grounded, energised and feeling safe.  I have spoken to Adult Social Care, Mental Health Services (who are supporting me) and have been lucky enough to have a power-bank of strong people who are looking out for me.  My volunteers have made it clear they are not leaving me, which has given me the confidence to carry on and their input and observations of my personality have lifted my sense of self-worth and self-esteem.

All in all, I feel much more worthy.  My volunteers have been tremendous, healing people.  My volunteers are a treasured asset and their influence on my life really shows how a volunteer is not just someone who pops in for a cuppa, they bring a wealth of skills to the person they visit.

They are befrienders. They are full of humanity, love, strength and worth.

I would be so desperate and lonely without them.

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