2017 Reflections – Mandy

As the end of the year approaches, we’re taking time to reflect over the past twelve months and look at the highlights. Read about Gordon’s year here.

Mandy has been volunteering through the Rosewood Centre since September 2016.

This year I’ve been into Forensic Services for the first time; I’ve been to Arnold Lodge, Wells Road, Rampton and Westminster House with Community Forensics.

I recently went to the Carer’s Event at Rampton and talked to carers; it’s the first time I’ve done it in the capacity of getting Care Opinion. I’m a carer myself, I feel as if I can talk from experience. You can talk with empathy because as a carer we know how it feels, you feel as if you can help people. It was really nice having the opportunity to meet the patient’s loved ones.

My first time to Arnold Lodge was a bit scary as it was only my second time doing Feedback Collection and the volunteer I am usually with couldn’t make it. Thankfully there was a lady from the Advocacy Service who came round with me, she was really good.

Westminster House was very interesting; I’ve been a couple of times now. The second time we were there we spoke to two people who were in a very good place. It really made us feel good hearing their stories. It was fantastic.

I really get a lot from telling my story at the Behavioural Family Therapy training with the Family Intervention Team. I started doing it this year. I’ve been to refresher training days, but I’m doing my second time at the full training again soon. Staff say they get more from carer’s and service user stories than the rest of the training. It’s hard as telling my story rakes up a lot from my past, but it’s really worthwhile.

I think the main thing for me this year was talking at the Bassetlaw event; I never thought I could do anything like that. I was the first guest speaker and the second person up to speak on the day.

Interested in getting involved and having similar highlights to your year? Contact us to find out more about volunteering.