The Work.Live.Leicestershire (WiLL) programme help people who are economically inactive or unemployed who are living in rural Leicestershire to move into job search, training, or employment. Providing volunteer support and opportunities for people to gain experience and confidence.
Carl has been unemployed for 6 years, he suffers from being socially anxious and has been agoraphobic in the past. He had two voluntary positions which were instigated by my his work coach. One was at The Cube in Market Harborough as a gardening / maintenance volunteer & the other at Foxton Locks museum.
Carl joined the WiLL project to help him gain confidence, learn new skills, improve his general mental health and eventually get into paid employment.
I am fully enjoying my volunteering experience at Elderberries Community Gardening. It has helped me improve my confidence and communication skills. It has also helped me to socially engage more confidently with other people. In the volunteering process I have also learnt new skills and have been assigned a project where I am involved in designing and painting panels.
Carl has come a long way since he first joined the project and started volunteering. He feels that even though he only recently started volunteering at Elderberries Community Gardening (attended 3 session so far), he can see the gradual progress he has made in himself.
I am a bit more confident, my communication skills has improved and I am more comfortable in engaging socially without feeling anxious. This has helped me to improve my overall mental health.
He is currently still volunteering and he hopes to eventually go into paid employment.
The Work.Live Leicestershire (WiLL) Project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and The European Social Fund. It is delivered in partnership with Voluntary Action LeicesterShire.
