Have you ever wanted to give back to your community but weren’t sure where to start?
Carol joined us as a volunteer last October. A simple search for volunteering opportunities has turned into a journey of self-discovery, learning new skills and making new connections in her local community.
Finding out about Include: From the job centre to the choir 🎶
I was finding obstacles to employment, so I thought I’d go back to basics and get some volunteering. I found Include online through VASE, and I was really impressed by the way Louise – Include’s volunteer coordinator – got in touch so promptly. She was also very enthusiastic and welcoming, so I decided to come along to a weekly choir session in Redhill.
What to expect: What does volunteering at Include involve?
I was a bit nervous because I’ve never really done something like this before so it was a bit scary. I’m left-handed as well so it makes it a little more difficult to learn Makaton – it’s like doing things upside down!
However, Include is such a supportive team of people from the volunteers to the staff and also the choir members themselves. Everyone is very kind and the choir members are very patient and non-judgmental.
During the weekly choir sessions in Redhill, I do a mixture of things because we’re sometimes a bit low on numbers in terms of volunteers. I help out in the kitchen, help with setting up and putting things away. I also do the information desk and help with giving out the instruments and objects of reference. So a bit of everything really!
I also volunteer at Include events, like during our Big Give campaign last year. I also went along to do some carol singing with the Epsom choir last December at in Banstead. It was a really positive experience because I got to meet the Epsom Choir members and volunteers. Everyone was so lovely and it got me more confident with my Makaton signing too.
A journey of self-discovery: What do you like about volunteering at Include?
One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering with Include is the focus on inclusive communication. Despite years of working in mainstream schools and nurseries with children with special needs, I’ve never had the chance to learn Makaton.
Whilst I am very fortunate to be able to communicate verbally, I identify as neurodiverse and I struggle with the social side of communication. I’ve learnt that I can talk too fast, especially when I get anxious. Learning Makaton has forced me to slow things down and I’ve learned a lot about myself as well.
As a child, I struggled with things like tying my shoe laces and was labelled as not very practical, and I live with that in my head. Include has given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and I now prepare everything on my own in the kitchen. I’ve been supported to do that, which has been a really positive experience for me.
What would you say to someone a little nervous about taking that first step to volunteer with Include?
Just do it! You don’t need any experience, you don’t need to be particularly good at singing. Just come along, join in, find out what we’re all about and a lot of people will be there to support you. You won’t be on your own, you’ll be part of the community, and it will be very beneficial to both you and them.
I love that Include is always open to new ideas, especially listening to people with lived experience – I think it’s brilliant the way that it’s all run.
Ready to join the Include volunteer team?
We’re always looking for volunteers to help us break down communication barriers. You don’t need to be a pro singer or a Makaton expert, you just need a kind heart and a little bit of time.
Visit include.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities in Epsom and Redhill, or get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator Louise for an informal chat.
Email: louise.walmsley@include.org or call 07349 983 707.
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