At Acorn Recovery Projects, we’re celebrating all our volunteers and the contributions they make to our service every single day. We’d like to say a huge thank you for the time you give and the incredible support you bring to our clients.
Here’s one of our volunteer’s journey…
I started volunteering for Acorn Recovery Projects around January 2023, after I’d been through their treatment process. Before seeking treatment, I’d spent around 25 years in active addiction.
I started volunteering in the housing office, helping clients sort their benefits and supporting them with hospital visits.
I learnt a lot working in the office, including using computers and speaking to professionals over the phone. All this helped my confidence and learning how to deal with people on a day-to-day basis. When it came to administration skills, I was quickly picking stuff up along the way.
I also worked in houses as a volunteer caregiver whenever I was needed, which added a more person-centred approach to the role.
From addiction to full-time employment
This experience led me to a full-time job care giving, where I was working with ex-offenders who had substance misuse problems. I did this for around eight or nine months, before being offered a role as a Floating Support Worker in the community in my own area.
Whilst doing this role, my IT skills and confidence were still growing, and I was offered a higher paid job working with complex needs homeless people which I thoroughly enjoy and I’m still doing at the present.
If I reflect on this at present, I would not be in the position I’m in now without the pleasure of volunteering with Acorn. The things I learnt in the office with computers and printers, I can now take into personal life and more importantly the confidence in working with people in a group setting or 1-1 basis I take with me and value the most.
If you would like to volunteer with us at Acorn, then please get in touch today. Call us on 0161 484 0000 or email contact@acornrecovery.org.uk
