How volunteering is playing a role in my mental health recovery

Part of our person-centred approach at CHT is to support our residents to discover opportunities and new interests, and explore ways they might want to get involved in education, employment or volunteering. Over half of our residents are actively involved in volunteering, study, work or other activities that matter to them. 

Here, one of these residents living in one of our Therapeutic Recovery Communities shares how he's found meaning and healing through his experiences volunteering. 

I started volunteering because, in the past, I've never done much in the way of positive things. And I just thought it was time for a change. I've achieved a lot in the last few years, and I just wanted to continue doing more positive things. I think the staff here suggested volunteering in a local shop or something. That's where I got the idea.

I got in touch with an organisation called Shepherd's Star, which offered a six-week programme called the Explore to More course, which offers opportunities for training in things like DIY, getting a barista qualification, and a volunteering opportunity at Kew Gardens.

I’ve now gained skills in coffee making, and I'm getting better at it. It’s a bit of an art form; it takes time and patience. I now volunteer at Shepherd's Star making coffees and at Kew Gardens doing litter picking.  

Volunteering is helping me become more social. It’s helping me cope with things like depression and anxiety.

When I was younger, I was never as sociable as I am now. I found it very hard to socialise properly.

Volunteering at Shepherd's Star also got me my first job in a café, which was great. It didn't work out because the manager had to make a few cuts, and unfortunately I was one of them, but it gave me a real sense of achievement.

At Kew Gardens, it's so nice to just walk around and just take in nature and the people there are fantastic. I do other things besides litter picking. In early summer, I was looking out for oak procession moths - they can be quite dangerous because they have very fine hairs, and if you touch them, you can get allergic reactions. I had to report them if I saw them. On my rounds, if I see anything that's not safe, I can report it.  

In the beginning, I was very nervous volunteering, but I pushed through it.

Also, there's friendly encouragement from people, and you can go at your own pace with things. The bugs are a nuisance, though, because I have a crippling fear of wasps and bees.

I think just the fact that I've gotten out of bed and just the fact that I have managed to keep this routine, this structure, and do something so positive is a big deal, considering the person that I used to be.

If I can, I want to achieve more. I want to get another job and then start working again, because I think I'm capable of that.