Meet one of our Young Carer Admin Volunteers
Joyce helps in our Young Carers service as an admin volunteer, at young carer drop-in sessions and with community workshops.
Joyce began volunteering with SFC in the Neuro Diversity Project Team to provide administrative support.
“I generally work 6 hours a week. The work is varied and interesting. As a volunteer, I provide support to the advisors and project manager – for example updating the database, collating data and general office admin. Once a month I help to run a drop in session for families with neurodivergent children. The session is facilitated by an advisor and is very much a peer-support group.
“Recently I have begun helping the Young Carers team also in an administrative role. This has enabled me to learn new skills and make new relationships in the workplace.
“Recently I helped with a presentation at a community centre: ‘How to Look After Yourself’. The opportunities are really varied.
“People are key in my life; I like face-to-face interaction and it’s nice to be able to offer practical as well as emotional support. When I retired, I started volunteering at a small family support charity, then a foodbank for 3 years and now Suffolk Family Carers. I came from a role in the care industry and am really interested in mental health. Everyone is so welcoming at Suffolk Family Carers; you get to know the people so quickly. Volunteering here gives me a purpose and increases self-esteem and confidence.
“Many volunteers are retired, and when you stop working you can feel you lose recognition and a job title. People ask, “What do you do?” In Volunteering, you use the skills you have gained over a lifetime, and it becomes part of your identity.”
