Volunteers’ Week spotlight: Tom’s story

Volunteers’ week (1 – 7 June) is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. Volunteering isn’t just about offering your skills, knowledge and expertise to an organisation like ours – it’s about what you can get back too. Throughout the week we’ll be sharing inspirational stories from people who have offered their time to change other people’s lives, and have in turn managed to change their own. Here’s Tom’s story:

“Volunteering at the Recovery College Kirklees is an amazing experience and brings with it so many benefits. I love meeting new people and on every course there is a real mix of people from all walks of life with interesting stories to share. The main reason I love going to the college is  that it is such a safe space with a relaxed atmosphere where people feel happy to be themselves without fear of judgement from others. I genuinely look forward to going every week to co-facilitate the sessions, not only because of the group we are supporting but also because of the two wonderful people I co-facilitate alongside. No matter what type of day I’ve had I always leave feeling brighter than when I went in and it is down to the support I get from the team that makes that happen. The Recovery College really invest in you as a person and play to your strengths and interests and I really do feel valued as a person that has something to offer other people.

“It’s hard to put into words but something magical happens within the walls at the college and knowing that I am a part of that and that I am supporting people’s recovery, as others have done for me in the past, is frankly the best feeling in the world.”

Find out how to become a volunteer for our Trust here.