A VAST Volunteering Case Study by Alison, Project Support Officer
Finding the Right Fit: Valerie and Jennie’s Volunteering Journey
At VAST, we know that finding the right volunteering role is about more than matching people to opportunities. It’s about understanding individuals, recognising their strengths, and helping them find a place where they feel welcomed, valued, and confident. Valerie and Jennie are a great example of this.
Alison, Project Support Officer in VAST’s Volunteering Team had been supporting Valerie and Jennie for some time, exploring a variety of opportunities together. While several options were considered, none seemed quite right for the ladies, who benefit from a little extra support in their volunteering journey. Rather than giving up, the team continued to work closely with them, determined to find a placement where they could thrive.
The breakthrough came when Alison contacted St Mark’s Church in Shelton about their regular Coffee Morning. She felt the welcoming atmosphere and community spirit might be the perfect fit. St Mark’s were incredibly supportive and invited Valerie and Jennie to attend the coffee mornings first, giving them the chance to get to know the environment and meet the people who regularly attend. And this gentle introduction worked wonderfully.
Today, Valerie and Jennie are proud volunteers at St Mark’s Church, helping with cleaning duties such as wiping tables and polishing. Most importantly, they are thoroughly enjoying their roles and have become valued members of the Coffee Morning community.
The placement has been especially meaningful for Valerie, who remembers attending St Mark’s Church with her family as a child. Being back in a familiar place has brought back happy memories, while also helping her create new ones. She has also become known for making an excellent cup of tea and even made sure Alison was well looked after during a recent visit.
"I like the job and it gets me out of the house. It's dead good there,"
For Jennie, the social side of volunteering has been a real highlight. As someone who already knew many people at the church, the role has helped her strengthen existing friendships while making plenty of new ones along the way. Jennie says:
"I'm happy there. I enjoy chatting to people and people make me laugh all the time."
Seeing Valerie and Jennie settle into their roles has been incredibly rewarding. Not only are they contributing to their local community, but they are also building confidence, developing friendships, and enjoying a sense of purpose.
Their story is a reminder that the right opportunity can make all the difference. By taking the time to understand what works best for each individual and working alongside supportive community partners like St Mark’s Church, we can help people find volunteering roles where they truly belong.
Alison presented them with a Portmeirion bowl as a thank you for their hard work and for not giving up. We are delighted to see Valerie and Jennie flourishing and look forward to watching their volunteering journey continue.
Does this sound like something you want to get involved in? There’s no time like the present!