“It feels good to go where you are needed most and gives a sense of connection to others in the community” – Abdul’s story

I have been volunteering for approximately 10 years, and I am a Muslim lay chaplain with the Trust’s pastoral care. This is my first and only role within the Trust.

I have been a qualified Imam since 2005. I have worked at different Islamic centres around the UK. As an Imam I was visiting people anyway and volunteering makes this role so much better. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. There are robust systems in place, and this helps and makes it more official, so some people feel more secured and assured they can trust me.

I decided to volunteer with the Trust after I looked at my strengths and weaknesses. I wanted to meet and help other people.  I initially volunteered in Barnsley, where other staff introduced me to South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust. I feel this is a place where my knowledge and experience are needed and appreciated as people are struggling with their mental health and need more support than ever.

Lots of people visit the mosque anyway and we keep close contact with each other. It definitely helps me to understand that someone needs help.  It helps me to improve my self-efficacy, gives me happiness and empathy, and it can increase control of life in general.

Part of my role as a Muslim lay chaplain is to pray and chat with other people. We are non-judgemental and try to help them through prayer. This can be collective or individual prayer. We can also meet to explore the faith.

We also help non-Muslim service users and staff if needed. We are here to talk and to listen. This is part of the pastoral care volunteer training. We are here to support as many people as we can, and the faith doesn’t matter to us. We all are human beings, and this is our ground rule.

What I like about my role is the satisfaction it brings.  That I can help someone.  You can see gratefulness in people when you speak to them without judgement.  It feels good to go where you are needed most and gives a sense of connection to others in the community. It shows my commitment not only to Muslim service users, but to anyone really. If you struggle with your mental health – I’m there whenever you need me to be there.

Volunteering encourages friendly relationships and presents the opportunity for people of various backgrounds and religions to work together to achieve a common goal, which at the Trust is obviously improving our mental health.

What I hope to gain from my role is happiness.  A feeling that you have helped and supported someone.  People are more open to us than to doctors. I have the time to listen, and people are just happy they can talk to someone spiritual. As I mentioned before, I find support goes above religion.

I think the Trust is a good place to volunteer. I do receive feedback, thank you cards and emails from people, thanking me for the support I provided.

I would definitely recommend volunteering with the Trust to family and friends.
It was recommended to me, and I have never regretted it or looked back.

I’d also recommend volunteering as a gateway to a career with the Trust and a good place to start if you want to pursue a career with the NHS.  I started as a volunteer in Barnsley. There is always someone there to support me if I need it too.