From Isolation to Impact: Lottie’s Journey of Healing through Volunteering

Simon, known as ‘Woody Simon’, has been volunteering with ARK at Egwood CIC for about 2 years. Having spent 40 years working behind a desk, he now spends time in the natural environment, and for him, the experience has been profound. Read his motivational story. “Having worked all my life in the aerospace industry, I was coming up to retirement and looking for a challenge. My friend Jackie, the volunteer coordinator at ARK, was looking for volunteers. Perfect! I could finally get away from my desk, be outdoors and do something physically challenging. Most importantly, I could help others whilst also being able to express myself in the work I did there. “I met Nigel and the team at ARK, heard about their backgrounds and experiences and their ambition for their ‘big field’. Their focus and enthusiasm made me buy into the project straight away. “Every day at ARK is a learning day, gaining new skills and techniques from people of many different backgrounds and areas of expertise. You also learn how best to help and develop people with different needs to yourself. It works both ways; I give to them, and they give great things back to me. It couldn’t be simpler or more rewarding. "It works both ways; I give to them, and they give great things back to me. It couldn’t be simpler or more rewarding." “For example, one guy wanted to try wood carving, so I helped him to carve a wooden spoon. He persevered all day and was so happy to take home not only a physical object, the spoon, but also new skills and respect. You don’t just go to ARK to ‘do’ an activity. You go to engage with the people and the place, to relax in the environment, to achieve something and to take something away. That applies to everybody there. “One of my proudest achievements is helping to create a woodland craft facility in a clearing in the 2-acre Beech wood. I’ve developed old world woodcrafts facilities that respect their environment whilst creating a festival style seating area where people can come and work, learn or simply sit and relax in the nature around them. “I have been desk bound for most of my working life. So suddenly being outdoors and free, lifting, dragging and pushing things around has improved my physical health enormously. Mentally, the benefits of being outdoors in a beautiful environment just cannot be overstated whilst nature’s ever-changing face never lets you take the place for granted. The biggest buzz, however, comes from going home knowing that you have helped others in no matter how small a way. "Mentally, the benefits of being outdoors in a beautiful environment just cannot be overstated." “To anyone thinking of volunteering I would say come with your enthusiasm, an open mind and an open heart and that’s how you’ll get the most out of it.” Nigel Bell, who is responsible for developing ARK commented, "Simon and the other ARK volunteers are what helps to provide the socially engaging environment we strive to achieve. Without people like Simon, ARK would not be what it is, and we would not be doing the great work that we are. “Simon is testament to the mental and physical benefits of spending time at ARK". If Simon's story has inspired you to get involved in volunteering, click on the link below.

Alex regularly spends time in the volunteering in nature, and for him the experience has been life-changing. Read his inspirational story. Alex, now 24 years of age, had suffered severely with his mental health since the age of 17 and had been hospitalised several times with multiple diagnoses, none of which seemed to be quite right. Aged 22, he was living in London, working 9-5 in an office which made him miserable and so early in 2019 he decided to go travelling to Australia. During this time, his mental health took a turn for the worse and he ended up being sectioned. With no family or support network around him he ended up severely anxious and depressed. He returned from Australia later that year, still struggling severely with his mental health, bed-ridden and with suicidal thoughts. Soon after his return, he was researching local organisations that might be able to help him and came across ARK at Egwood . Acts of Random Kindness (ARK), is a land-based day facility in South Somerset comprising 12 acres of land, woodland, communal buildings and animals which offers a range of activities, experiences and support services to improve health and wellbeing. He had a consultation with Simon, ARK’s Director of Operations, who took him under his wing. ARK, who tailor their support to the individual and what they want to do, created a bespoke programme for Alex which included horticulture, woodwork and looking after animals. “I started volunteering twice a week at ARK. I’d never come across an organisation like them before or seen such a deep level of care and commitment towards their goal. What I love about ARK is that they are small and much more approachable than a larger organisation which is good for someone who struggles with their mental health and anxiety. “I started volunteering twice a week at ARK. I’d never come across an organisation like them before or seen such a deep level of care and commitment towards their goal ." “One of the key messages of the ARK is empowerment and so they tailor support around you so that you’re more empowered. It’s an amazing organisation. “I expressed an interest in woodwork which I hadn’t done since studying GCSE Design & Technology. So, Simon asked me to make a bin. “Just do what you want”, he said, and it turned out really well. Simon always says that it’s not about the end product but how you get there. It doesn’t matter how it looks, it’s the process, being mindful of what you do and being in the moment. “You’ve got to work it out for yourself and use your own intuition. Simon’s there to help if you need it but he gives you the autonomy and power to problem solve yourself which is really important because ultimately, you’re the person in charge of your own recovery, no-one else is. “Simon is such a kind soul. He helped me to find a voluntary role working in mental health. I now work in mental health full time and I absolutely love it! He told he that I had something about me that would make me excel at my job and that I'd go really far, which made me cry. Alex, who now works as a mental health worker in a complex mental health supported living facility, explains, “It’s an incredibly challenging job and very emotionally demanding. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle it and that my own PTSD might crop up but ARK had rebuilt me from the ground up. They gave me my confidence back and the foundations I needed. Simon always believed in me. “My mental health was like being in a storm but just because there’s a dark cloud it doesn’t mean that there isn’t blue sky above. If you’re patient and wait for the storm to pass, the blue sky will return. “Simon really cares about his organisation and the people it supports. He said “there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you will be fine”. I didn’t believe it at the time but I’m through that now and I am absolutely fine! So, if you are thinking about reaching out to an organisation like ARK please, just do it! "If you are thinking about reaching out to an organisation like ARK please, just do it!" Simon, ARK’s Director of Operations added; "At ARK we aim to provide an environment where each individual has the opportunity to find space both physically and mentally, without pressure or expectation. Given the chance to take stock, reset and build back confidence, positive changes can be made in how we see ourselves and in our approach to overcoming problems we may face. Alex is a great example of someone who, when given the opportunity, embraced it and rediscovered the strength of character, determination and personal skills that could be seen by those around him but he had lost sight of along the way." If Alex's story has inspired you to get involved in volunteering, click on the link below.

" Volunteering has definitely improved my wellbeing and helped me keep a positive mindset during lockdown " Guest blogger, Megan Cave, shares her volunteering story. Since graduating from university in the middle of the pandemic and not being able to work my normal job in hospitality, I found I had plenty of free time which I wanted to put to good use and help make a difference in these strange and difficult circumstances. When I saw the vaccination centre volunteer advert back in January I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to offer my time, and that it would allow me to get out of the house for a few hours, take my mind off all the negativity surrounding lockdown, and get involved in something really positive and important. From day one at the vaccination centre at Taunton Racecourse I have been made to feel so welcome, from the security outside to the medical staff inside. Even just a simple smile and wave when driving into the car park can make you feel like a valued member of the team. Volunteering at the vaccination centre is so rewarding. Welcoming people to the racecourse and then seeing them leave, so happy and relieved to have had their vaccination, gives me a real sense of achievement. It is a very positive feeling knowing you are helping people get some sort of normality back into their lives. Sometimes just a simple chat from a distance can make someone’s day, and it certainly makes my day every time I volunteer! Volunteering has definitely improved my wellbeing and helped me keep a positive mindset during lockdown, it's given me something good to focus on and made me realise that I really am making a difference to so many people's lives! If Megan's story has inspired you to get involved in volunteering, click on the link below.