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.
Here is Caitlin’s story of her journey into volunteering with help from our WiLL project, who helped her to build her confidence and improve her mental health.
Caitlin joined the WiLL project in September 2021, being in recovery form a mental illness she started to think about volunteering and maybe studying a course. She felt she needed some support in finding these volunteering opportunities and help with filling out employment applications.
She originally wanted to work in mental health services, but when we secured her a volunteering role with Healthwatch Leicestershire she realised she needed to take a different path, but wasn’t sure what she wanted to do.
We set her up on some WEA courses to improve her confidence, assertiveness and budgeting skills, which she really enjoyed. After completing these courses, we it was a good idea to explore her personal and professional development further by signing up to the Prince’s Trust Team Programme. Since then, we have been focusing on Caitlin’s long and short term career paths and to keep her mentally and physically healthy.
Since doing the Prince’s Trust work experience and the volunteering opportunities, I feel that they have benefitted me in building my confidence and my employability skills. It has significantly improved my mental health, by helping me to get into a routine and building structure.
Thank you for all of your help and support!
Caitlin is also volunteering at two separate places – Earl Shilton Community House, where she started while on the Team Programme and The Little Theatre, sourced by VAL. She’s working with a PT and has gained the skills needed to be able to apply for work and to live independently.
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.
Get involved in volunteering
If you’re inspired to get involved in volunteering, you can find out more on our VAL Volunteering website.
If you’re a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation who wants more support with recruiting or managing volunteers, you can get in touch with us via:
helpline@valonline.org.uk
0116 257 5050