I worked as the head of schools in UK and Asia, and now I run my own education and coaching consultancy. When I moved to Birmingham during the pandemic we deliberately moved to an area we didn’t know, so I wanted to do some volunteering as part of finding connections. I heard about Breaking Barriers and felt like I had something to give with my background in coaching and mentoring.
I always feel comfortable having a one-to-one conversation, but I would never assume to know it all. The induction from Breaking Barriers helped me to understand how the world works for refugees in the UK. I also found it useful to know what the protocols and safeguarding rules are.
I like that, if I am free, I get sent resources, a diary invite, a briefing document, and a link to the short report I need to complete after a session. It’s been very well thought through.
It’s easy and flexible to volunteer as well. I like that, if I am free, I get sent resources, a diary invite, a briefing document, and a link to the short report I need to complete after a session. It’s been very well thought through. In theory, I could just show up to the meeting and do what I can in the hour, but I’ve found that I can be a lot more helpful if I prepare in advance and do some research.
Until you hear about an individual’s circumstances it’s hard to understand how uneven the playing field is. Some people are trying to climb a steep hill, while others are on roller skates going down the other side. Sometimes it can feel deeply unfair, but I hope that by volunteering I’m helping to level the playing field in some way.
I’ve met some lovely people. One memorable guy was a nurse in his home country. He was well qualified with a science degree and a nursing degree. He believed that he was going to have to retrain from scratch, but I discovered there was an assimilation programme that would allow him to work as a nurse in the NHS. He went away with a shortcut and it was good to know that by helping him to understand the UK’s systems and processes, he would potentially avoid wasting years to retrain.
I get pleasure out of meeting people, out of feeling like I’ve done something worthwhile, and out of paying back – lots of people have helped me in my life when they didn’t have to, and it feels good to be able to do the same.
Alongside my role as an advice and guidance volunteer, I’ve also helped to test a new volunteering portal for Breaking Barriers, and I’ve used my coaching background to create some training for the team too.
I get pleasure out of meeting people, out of feeling like I’ve done something worthwhile, and out of paying back – lots of people have helped me in my life when they didn’t have to, and it feels good to be able to do the same.
If anyone has read this far and is considering volunteering, I would say do it! Don’t think you have to have something to bring. Bring yourself, because it’s the human connections that people need. You will also learn as much as you give.
