Highlighting the benefits of volunteering on the airwaves

Highlighting the benefits of volunteering on the BBC

On Saturday 17 June one of our communications volunteers, Matt Stalker and our Chief Executive, Aileen Edwards were featured guests on BBC Radio Bristol’s Phil Hammond Show.

Having been a volunteer at Second Step since last October, Matt explained how he took the decision to become a volunteer to build up his skills and his confidence after being out of employment for several years. He has now added additional skills after becoming involved in facilitating some of our wellbeing courses.

As a volunteer, Matt told Dr Phil, ‘I feel completely supported, looked after,’ as he praised the ‘fantastic volunteering team’. Aileen explained how Second Step was originally set up by volunteers and that, ‘Volunteers are at the heart of what we do’.

Over the last year Second Step has supported over 150 volunteers, who have offered up over 6,000 hours of their time to support our clients build their confidence and connect with their local communities. Just under half of these volunteers, like Matt, have lived experience. A brilliant total of 40% of volunteers go on into paid employment.

We are very pleased to have recently been rewarded the Investors in Volunteers standard. An award that shows our standard of quality and good practice in our volunteer management.

Click here to listen.