These testimonies are from real volunteers and their actual experiences. Click on the volunteer's name below to see how they got involved and what they did.

Anne's testimony

Delia's Testimony

Katherine's Testimony

Mal's Testimony

Sheila's Testimony

Anne

The following testimony comes from a lady, Anne, who volunteers as a mentor with the Time Together Project at the Sunderland Refugee Service. She shares her thoughts and reasons to why she got involved as a volunteer with the project.

'I am Market Research Manager at the University of Sunderland, which brings me into frequent contact with students. This includes students from many different countries, so I am aware of difficulties faced by people arriving in the country for the first time, although students have the benefit of many support networks at the University. I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for someone who has to find their way in a strange country without any support, perhaps after suffering in ways most of us cannot imagine. Quite simply I would like to be a friend to someone in this situation, helping wherever I can, perhaps with English skills, practical things such as where to shop, or even helping them look for a job.

I think this is an important project to show people who have had to leave everything they know, that they are not on their own. I am lucky to have a big family, and want to help someone else feel like they belong, at least as long as they live in the area.

I mentor a 30 year old Iranian man who needs help with English, particularly form filling and understanding official processes. We have only met a couple of times so this is still very new to me, and I was quite nervous before the first meeting, as I did not want to let him down. However, we get on well and I must admit it helps that his spoken English is ok. So far we've resolved a couple of his queries and I've given advice on getting more detailed help. I am enjoying the time we have together as I feel I am helping make his life a little easier'.

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Another volunteer with the Bridge project is Delia, who through her volunteering feels she has made great strides in her life, she has written a poem about it.

This is the start of my new journey
Something different, just for me.
I came to Bridge with so much doubt,
so much activity about,
So many people here and there
To listen, to help and always care.
I sit, I listen, and slowly yearn
The flames of knowledge flicker and burn.
Like the start of anew creation
Feed me with more information
Watch me slowly start to bloom
I make you laugh when I enter a room.
Bridge is now my saving light
Embraced so close, and so tight
Now I want so much more
I'm not like I was before.
I closed my eyes to society
For they all gave up on me.
Then suddenly, out of the blue
I found something new
A place where I could be
A person, a student - just me!
Every day my knowledge grows,
And my inspiration silently flows
So I continue to Walk life's long road
Learning a new way, a different code.
So, thank you all at Bridge
You brought me back from the ridge.
A place where it was lonely and dark
Now my new journey I do embark
So this is me in all my glory
And the beginning of my new story.

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This is a testimony from one Washington's Bridge Project, long term volunteers. She is a retired lady who besides working as a super nanny in the schools came to bridge in 2002 to fill in her time and help others. Jenny Mckenna a member of staff at Bridge said when asked about Katherine's volunteering 'she has been a godsend to the project and is an inspiration to many women who use the project'. Here are Katherine's thoughts on volunteering,

'Being a volunteer is the best decision I could have made after I retired. Bridge has given me a reason to stop moaning and get out of bed in the morning. I have met many interesting people, a brilliant group of women and I do a varied selection of work. I am made to feel a valuable member of society.'

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Mal has been a volunteer for about 2 years with the Bridge Project. In this time she has been involved in a number of activities including representing Bridge at conferences, staffing the library, organising a summer and Christmas fete, supporting the students on enrolment days and lots more.

'We all get times when we feel low. Being a volunteer and doing for others, takes our minds off our won troubles and gives us a purpose in life and gives us the feeling of being needed. Mixing with others without pressure boots confidence and gives us fulfilment. It is not only what you give, it is also what you receive in return that makes it worthwhile. The benefits are endless'.

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Sheila Bolton is a volunteer with three of Age Concern's Volunteering opportunities; Telephone Service, Friendly Faces and Advocacy. She shares her thoughts on her volunteering

'I will be forever grateful for the experience of volunteering with Age Concern Sunderland, as I feel it has helped to bridge the gap between incapacity and paid employment. By volunteering, I feel useful again and it gives me such a sense of achievement (which makes a refreshing change). It has helped with re-building my confidence in the workplace, and allowed me to focus on other people. I have made many new friends and would recommend volunteering to anyone'

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