Maggi's Story
We work with people from all walks of life who wish to volunteer but have experienced some health or personal problem which needs to be considered. Our role is to give a bit of guidance or support to help make the jump from thinking about volunteering to actually doing it. For many people the biggest hurdle to overcome is lack of confidence, particularly if you have been out of circulation for a bit of time. Voluntary work is a great way of improving your health and wellbeing, while helping a good cause. It’s a win-win situation as Magi’s story shows.
Maggi reflects that back in early nineties... “I went to my doctor because I hadn't been sleeping well and had other symptoms was told that I was suffering from depression. I laughed and told her I just wanted some tablets to help me feel better and she gave me some form of anti-depressant. Following a nervous breakdown and a kidney infection, I felt so ill I stayed off work for a week which turned into more than six years away from working.”
“As I began to get better, a number of events in my personal life halted my recovery. I attended a mental health unit and they suggested doing something to get me into the working environment which filled me with dread. I was referred to Marion at the Volunteer Centre and after various aborted attempts; I managed to actually meet with her. After only a short while, had an interview for a post.”
“The prospect of the interview both terrified and excited me because it was such a long time since I had been in an office. I had no idea how I would react. Marion gave me the confidence however to go ahead. I was so nervous but I knew that I had nothing to lose because it was a voluntary post and if it didn't suit either of us then I could leave or they could ask me to leave. When I arrived there, I was so impressed by the informality of the office and everyone was so nice.”
“I told them about my long term depression and what I was hoping to gain by taking this position. They told me what was involved and I said I would be willing to try it out. The next morning I got a phone call asking me to start the next week. I must admit that I was really scared - especially I was scared that I couldn't do the work. However, they were all very kind and showed me how the office works and what goes on and I grew in confidence week by week.”
“They were all so encouraging and supportive. My confidence grew and I started to do all sorts of different things; answering the phone, working on the computer and all sorts of responsible jobs. Their support and the chance to do different work just gave me more and more confidence”
“The voluntary work had given me hope about my future. That perhaps one day I may be able to go out into the big wide world and do a decent job and get some satisfaction from it.
I'm not the lame duck you thought I was and I can cope with situations as well as anyone else.”
“Just when you thought there was no hope, people like Marion Findlay think you can do it and you have to prove to them, as well as yourself, that you can do it. You have to be yourself and try to recapture that person you were.
That person is still there even though you don't think it is and you have to be that person, even if only for a little while. Confidence is everything after a mental illness and trying to recapture that is very difficult, but you have to keep trying for yourself.”
Once you have the confidence in yourself, then you are home and dry. Don't look back. Keep striving forwards."