Meet Amanda
"Amanda has excellent communication skills and always goes above and beyond to create weekly activities based on the needs of the group. Amanda’s style and approach has had a really positive impact on the group."
Meet Amanda, a mother of two and for the last five months, she has volunteered as a Group Co-Facilitator for Reaching North Staffs.
Reaching strives to combat isolation, promote connectedness, and improve living standards via empowering compassionate relationships. With a focus on tackling obstacles faced by vulnerable adults, Reaching NS aims to encourage growth and improve wellbeing.
Amanda’s role within Reaching NS has recently expanded to include helping with administration duties at their head office, and training to become a Volunteer Project Lead, issuing referred foodbank vouchers. Amanda also volunteers at the distribution centre for Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank.
Amanda has a rich career history, ranging from working in HR, administration, communication and engagement and training development. Prior to volunteering in Stoke-on-Trent, Amanda had been recovering from alcohol addiction, and emotional trauma at the BAC O’Connor Centre in Burton-upon-Trent.
With their support, and her faith, she has found the strength and courage to tackle the disease of addiction and has now remained abstinent for nine months and counting. Volunteering has formed a key part of her recovery journey, has volunteered within Langan’s Tea Rooms and a Community Garden.
Amanda now works part-time as a Front of House host at ‘Noreen’s Recovery Lounge’ in Fenton. The lounge is in memory and honour of Noreen Oliver, MBE, Hon.DLit and founder of the BAC O’Connor. The lounge hopes to make a positive difference to the people with substance misuse addiction by developing and supporting them through meaningful community volunteering, and permanent job roles.
On moving to Stoke-on-Trent, Amanda was able to learn more about a range of organisations and was signposted to VAST by the BAC O’Connor. Amanda met with Senior Project Officer Sian, and discussed her recovery journey and passions over a lovely brew in our café at The Dudson Centre. They were able to find a range of volunteer roles that fit with Amanda’s interests, and Sian sent them to Amanda for her to look into further and consider her best option
Amanda settled on the role of ‘Group Co-Facilitator’ for Reaching NS. This was a great fit for Amanda as she has lived experience of isolation and poor mental health. She was eager to ‘give back’ to the community by using her first-hand knowledge and understanding to make a positive difference to the lives of others. Throughout her life, Amanda has always expressed a desire to promote positive improvement and change for the most vulnerable members of society. Her own family upbringing, personal career opportunities and individual lived experience heightened this passion.
Sian referred Amanda to Reaching NS, and she was invited to a taster session at the Longton Support Group hosted at The Glost House. Amanda was welcomed by their clients and felt comfortable with the tasks allocated to her. Amanda loved the taster session, so proceeded with her application and the DBS Check.
“Amanda is always punctual, reliable trustworthy and always has a positive attitude. Amanda has built relationships with our group participants to the point where they trust and talk openly about their problems. Amanda has excellent communication skills and always goes above and beyond to create weekly activities based on the needs of the group. Amanda’s style and approach has had a really positive impact on the group. I am both grateful and proud to have Amanda as part of the Reaching team”
Volunteering has enabled Amanda to recover her ‘sense of self’ in a positive way, increasing her confidence, self-worth and esteem as well as believing more in herself. Her volunteering with Reaching NS has provided her with the opportunity to do the same for vulnerable individuals who are struggling, just as she was.
Amanda feels that she has discovered a new purpose in life, which is helping her to improve her health and wellbeing, whilst enhancing her personal growth and development. By meeting new people, it has reduced her loneliness. She feels fortunate to spend time with people from different backgrounds who bring a wealth of knowledge, stories and experiences. Amanda has gained many skills through her volunteering including adaptability, knowledge around inclusion, communication skills in particularly active listening.
Volunteering provides Amanda with a fantastic sense of purpose, has improved her health and wellbeing. It has allowed her to ‘give back’ and contribute to her local community. Amanda’s own sense of empowerment, self-worth and confidence has increase as a result of her volunteering.
Amanda says that best part of being a volunteer is watching the clients blossom independently – and together – within the group. Witnessing the change in an individual is inspiring. Seeing their smiles when achievements are made makes Amanda feel very, very grateful to be part of it.
Well done Amanda, your story's a real inspiration!
