My name is Charlotte, and earlier in 2024 I was nominated for a Community Pride award for the volunteering I do at work and outside of work too.
As a result, I was asked to share my experiences with other civil servants. This blog for Include has been put together using the notes I made for the talk I gave to 4,000 people at work.
I volunteer with The Include Choir, a sing and sign choir for people with communication disabilities.
How it started
So, how did I end up doing that, well when my youngest child started high school, I suddenly found for the first time in many years, I had space, not just in a practical or physical way, but also in my head and thoughts. In my adult life I was missing a sense of belonging that seemed so easy to come by in childhood. I also had the realisation that even though I love my job, if I could do life again, I would like to explore a career in Speech and Language Therapy.
I researched volunteering in my community, which led me to complete a form on the Surrey County Council website. 2 days later a lady from the council phoned me and said they had found me an opportunity. I was to turn up at 6pm on a Tuesday at a local venue to help with a sing and sign choir. Alright I said.
Zero Experience!
Sometimes you just have to throw yourself in the deep end – I have no musical ability, I can’t sing, and have zero experience of assisting adults with learning disabilities, and just to top it off, at that point, I had never heard of the word Makaton.
Volunteering in Inclusive Communication
My volunteering opportunity was for the charity, Include.org – it was set up by a speech therapist who realised that just because people had communication needs, that should not limit their self-expression.
Inclusive Communication means recognising, respecting and using all forms of communication – not just the written and spoken word.
Lots of people find it very difficult to understand the spoken word alone. This includes the majority of people with a learning disability, dementia, and people who have had a stroke or a brain injury.
About the project I help to run
I help with the charity’s Include Choir project – and it is so much more than a choir. We have physical props, so if a member is non-verbal, they can hold one of our props, or use an instrument. We also use Makaton sign language for all the songs, they are projected up onto the wall with all the individual signs, so choir members are able to sign and sign, or just sign, whatever they feel comfortable with.
For those of you who don’t know Makaton its different from British sign language, Makaton does have elements of mime and it is much simpler and more descriptive for the users, so is a very good communication tool for those who have learning or communication disabilities.
Unexpected benefits
I have been volunteering with Include for 2 years, and I’d like to share the unexpected benefits of doing so.
Firstly, and most importantly, it is fun!! I am wanted, I am needed and I contribute. The sense of belonging and value this creates to me personally is indescribable.
It is incredibly liberating to be involved with a group of people who have no interest in your day job, your fashion sense, what you watched on telly last night, or if someone liked you on Facebook. The choir members require so very little from you, eye contact, a smile and occupying the space next to them whilst you belt out a tune on a tambourine makes them feel seen and heard.
Real impact – not just on the day
I have made loads of new friends, other volunteers, care workers and choir members. When I am at choir, that is the realist version of me.
Coming into work on a Wednesday, having been at choir on the Tuesday, I am happier, calmer and more positive.
On many occasions the choir members have brought me to tears, seeing them grow and develop in self-confidence, blossoming into their own very best potential is extremely moving.
I have noticed that over the last 2 years, my leadership style has changed, I am a much more compassionate empathetic leader, bringing with me all the knowledge of communication and how it impacts others into the workplace. I’ve always known, but now it is so apparent to me, that not all disabilities are revealed or visible, so when communicating with others, the most important first step is connection – then communicate.
Top Highlight
I have a few highlights over the last 2 years, my biggest one was when we performed with the Choir at Kew Gardens in the glass house for the Wedding Planner annual awards show. It was a black-tie event, and we totally smashed it, up on stage, singing and signing our hearts out – we got a standing ovation and raised so much money for our charity, a brilliant night.
We were there to let all the wedding industry leads know that people with disabilities fall in love like everyone else, and have ambitions of marriage – so not to forget them.
Final Word
By volunteering it gives you a chance to explore and lean into the good stuff – you have nothing to lose.
Communications, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead
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