Volunteering at Emmaus is a great opportunity. You get to learn lots about different individuals and their backgrounds.
I’m currently in my second year at university doing a social work degree. To achieve this, I have to complete two voluntary work placements. I am doing my first placement here at Emmaus Preston, and I’m doing another placement in my third (final) year but I’m not sure where this will be just yet. So far, I’ve really enjoyed it! Just before I started my placement, I didn’t know what to expect, as I only knew that Emmaus supports people with experience of homelessness.
Once I started, I found out more and more information about Emmaus in Lancashire (Emmaus Preston and Emmaus Burnley). Individuals can refer themselves to Emmaus or an agency or another person can refer them. Emmaus provides accommodation, support, and pays for essentials, such as food, toiletries and bills,
I really like the fact that Emmaus helps individuals rebuild confidence and gain new skills, build new relationships, and get back into a routine, ready to move on into independent living.
All the support provided at Emmaus is person-centred, focusing on the individual, what their needs are and what people would like to achieve overall. When you meet individuals supported here, you don’t expect them to have been through half of the things that they have, so it’s a good opportunity for me to learn more. There is a sense of belonging here. It would have different for those who have previously been sofa surfing or on the streets. Everyone at Emmaus is looked after and cared for!
Learning at Emmaus
Since I started at Emmaus, I have been working alongside two amazing, inspirational staff members. Karen, who is the Head of Support, and Support Worker, Ayley. They provide the support for people who are part of Emmaus Preston and Emmaus Burnley (Emmaus in Lancashire).
I’ve been learning about the application process for people interested in joining an Emmaus community (there are 29 established Emmaus communities in the UK and three groups working to establish new communities). I’ve learnt how to do risk assessments and drug tests, I’ve learnt how to do one-to-one person-centred meetings with people supported by Emmaus, known as ‘home stars’ and ‘action plans’, I’ve learnt how to do other one-to-one support sessions, I have learnt how to do room checks, and I’ve also learnt the importance of confidentiality when support staff are handling personal information.
At first, I was shadowing both Karen and Ayley, but I have recently started to do more on my own. When I first joined Emmaus around a month ago, I was very shy, quiet and nervous, so this is a massive achievement for me, and I can tell that I have definitely developed more knowledge, skills and confidence!
Volunteering with a range of people
Part of my placement has involved helping alongside the Scouts too. The Scouts come to Emmaus to volunteer, which counts towards their badges. They visit Emmaus regularly to sort through donated clothing and put items out on display on the shop floor. Unfortunately, due to Emmaus recently closing some of their shops and moving to the new Emmaus Department Store in Preston, Emmaus did not have any donations for these volunteers to work with. So, instead, the Scouts volunteered in the kitchen at Emmaus Preston’s community home, making desserts for all of the people supported by the charity (whom Emmaus refers to as companions). I think they all enjoyed this.
When I went home that same evening, I sorted through some of my own clothes and asked my friends and family if they had any old unwanted clothing (that was in good condition) that they would be willing to donate to Emmaus. In total, I managed to get together around 12 large bags of women’s clothes, men’s clothes, baby clothes (mixed gender), boys’ clothes and girls’ clothes.
Why I want to become a social worker
I want to become a Social Worker due to the personal situations that I have been involved in. I have had many different experiences, some good and some bad, but overall, I just want to make a difference to individual lives and to make the world a better place!
Since the age of three, I have lived with my grandparents; I still live with them now, while I am at university. However, after university I am hoping to get my own home with my fiancé.
I have always had my heart set on becoming a children’s social worker due to my personal experience, but volunteering at Emmaus has opened my mind and I may end up becoming an adults’ social worker or even a social worker, specialising in the mental health sector. This also interests me and it involves working with both adults and children.
Considering everything that happened to me in my childhood to getting As and A*s in my NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma In Health and Social Care course at college and be being accepted to study social work at university, succeeding has been very challenging for me, but I’ve only gone and done it and I’m proud of myself!
I feel like sharing my story and some of my experiences is very important, as it might inspire other individuals who are or who have been in similar circumstances to me.
What it’s like volunteering at Emmaus
Volunteering at Emmaus is very rewarding but it can be challenging, each day is a different experience!
I have really enjoyed learning what goes on behind the scenes. People are different face-to-face than on paper. It is more in-depth speaking to someone in person rather than reading a referral form, for example.
Conversations can go a long way, and I have noticed the majority of the companions seem comfortable and confident to talk to me about any issues or worries that they have. I have learnt from listening to the conversations that people in the support team have, that sometimes little things make a big difference to people.
I’d say that if you’re interested in volunteering, I would definitely recommend volunteering at Emmaus, there are plenty of opportunities and you get to meet great people! For me personally, the main reason that I enjoy coming to volunteer is because I think if I can make someone else’s day better then it will make my day better – and it makes me feel better about myself! I often think if I’ve made someone else happy today, then that’s all that matters!
If you would like to arrange a volunteer placement as part of your course, you can get in touch with the support team on 01772 796622 or you can browse our volunteer roles here.