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Volunteering into Employment

Working in textiles for many years, Ling was offered voluntary redundancy, she felt it could be a positive new start for her.

Ling turned to volunteering to find new opportunities. Prior to this, she worked as a merchandiser which enabled her to be creative, but often involved tight deadlines and high levels of stress.

Ling found a temporary part-time job so she could explore creative unpaid opportunities local to her. From providing information at printing studios, to ushering at local theatres, this experience developed her confidence and presented new career opportunities.

Recognising the important role VAL had in her journey, she started helping the organisation to find the right opportunities for others too.

Since then her first-hand experience and enthusiasm has resulted in paid employment joining the Work. Live. Leicestershire team at VAL as a Project Advisor.

If I wasn’t a volunteer where I engage with people – I wouldn’t be as confident as I am now. It helped me to change my career and get a new job”

– Ling, WiLL Project Advisor

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.