To start your own volunteering story click on the link below or drop into our Community Shop to find out more about our volunteer roles.
Peter's Story
Peter, a recently retired IT team leader for the NHS joined Buzz as a volunteer for the Employability Project drop-in a year ago. Here Peter tells us why he decided to volunteer for Buzz and what it's like to volunteer.
What made you decide to start volunteering?
For me, the decision was quite straightforward, I came to retirement age and decided I wanted to give back to the community I lived in. I decided to volunteer to use my free time to help others.
How did you find out about volunteering roles at Buzz?
I knew that I wanted to work in my local community as a volunteer but didn't have a specific idea of where i'd like to volunteer. I came across an advert on the Streetlife website requesting volunteers for the Buzz Employability Drop-in. I felt that this was a suitable volunteering role for me as i'd be able to support people on a 1:1 and small group basis to find employment. I knew my decades of experience in IT would be useful in helping people to job search. As I was a manager in the NHS for many years I also felt I had a good knowledge of the workplace and how job interviews are conducted. The role seemed to match my skills very well and I also felt that it may stretch and challenge me a little too which is something I felt would be important.
How did you become a volunteer? What was the process?
I used the details from the Streetlife advert to get in touch and was invited by Helen Stone the volunteer coordinator for North Bristol Advice Centre to come along to a drop-in session to see if I liked it and assess whether the role would be suitable. There was no commitment to start if I didn't feel it was right for me. Once I'd been to the drop-in I felt the role would suit me; I was motivated to commit the time and felt I would get great satisfaction from the work.
Could you tell us what a typical morning volunteering might be like for you?
I normally arrive at the drop-in a few minutes before the Buzz clients so that Zoe the Employability Project Manager can update me on any important news. Then we welcome the clients, set up computers and laptops and have a group catch up. Usually I work with a number of clients on a 1:1 or group basis to help write CV's, check emails, search for jobs or prepare for interviews. The role is really varied and I am able to work with clients who are all at very different stages of the employability programme.
Did you have any reservations about volunteering?
Initially, I felt that I had a lack of skills related to online searches for jobs, this was really because I hadn't done this myself for many years. I was able to pick this up very quickly and enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills.
Would you say that volunteering has changed your life in any way?
I've found that volunteering has given me a real sense of purpose. When you retire, a major part of your life (work) doesn't exist any more and I think there's a real risk of feeling a bit alienated from reality and your life then lacking focus. Volunteering helps to give that focus in life and really allows you to gain a sense of achievement and satisfaction in helping others. I've found it's given me the same sort of sense of purpose as work used to.
What's the best thing about volunteering with Buzz?
Definitely the friendly people.
Would you recommend volunteering to others. If so why?
Yes I would recommend it from the point of view of the sense of purpose it can give you. It enables you to carry on using work skills and experience and expertise. It helps you to utilise your skills in a really positive way.
For me, the decision was quite straightforward, I came to retirement age and decided I wanted to give back to the community I lived in. I decided to volunteer to use my free time to help others.
How did you find out about volunteering roles at Buzz?
I knew that I wanted to work in my local community as a volunteer but didn't have a specific idea of where i'd like to volunteer. I came across an advert on the Streetlife website requesting volunteers for the Buzz Employability Drop-in. I felt that this was a suitable volunteering role for me as i'd be able to support people on a 1:1 and small group basis to find employment. I knew my decades of experience in IT would be useful in helping people to job search. As I was a manager in the NHS for many years I also felt I had a good knowledge of the workplace and how job interviews are conducted. The role seemed to match my skills very well and I also felt that it may stretch and challenge me a little too which is something I felt would be important.
How did you become a volunteer? What was the process?
I used the details from the Streetlife advert to get in touch and was invited by Helen Stone the volunteer coordinator for North Bristol Advice Centre to come along to a drop-in session to see if I liked it and assess whether the role would be suitable. There was no commitment to start if I didn't feel it was right for me. Once I'd been to the drop-in I felt the role would suit me; I was motivated to commit the time and felt I would get great satisfaction from the work.
Could you tell us what a typical morning volunteering might be like for you?
I normally arrive at the drop-in a few minutes before the Buzz clients so that Zoe the Employability Project Manager can update me on any important news. Then we welcome the clients, set up computers and laptops and have a group catch up. Usually I work with a number of clients on a 1:1 or group basis to help write CV's, check emails, search for jobs or prepare for interviews. The role is really varied and I am able to work with clients who are all at very different stages of the employability programme.
Did you have any reservations about volunteering?
Initially, I felt that I had a lack of skills related to online searches for jobs, this was really because I hadn't done this myself for many years. I was able to pick this up very quickly and enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills.
Would you say that volunteering has changed your life in any way?
I've found that volunteering has given me a real sense of purpose. When you retire, a major part of your life (work) doesn't exist any more and I think there's a real risk of feeling a bit alienated from reality and your life then lacking focus. Volunteering helps to give that focus in life and really allows you to gain a sense of achievement and satisfaction in helping others. I've found it's given me the same sort of sense of purpose as work used to.
What's the best thing about volunteering with Buzz?
Definitely the friendly people.
Would you recommend volunteering to others. If so why?
Yes I would recommend it from the point of view of the sense of purpose it can give you. It enables you to carry on using work skills and experience and expertise. It helps you to utilise your skills in a really positive way.
Nesha's Story
Nesha moved to Bristol from London in April of this year and decided to volunteer at the Buzz Community Shop as soon as it opened in July. Here Nesha tells us what motivated her to join Buzz as a volunteer and how she feels about working in the shop.
What made you decide to start volunteering?
I moved to Bristol from London in April and wanted to get to know my neighbours and local community. I think the shop ethos really encourages a sense of community and I thought that working here would be a great way to become more involved.
How did you find out about volunteering roles at Buzz?
I came into the shop on the first opening day at the Love Lockleaze festival. I spoke to Alison the Business Development Manager at Buzz and she told me about the volunteering opportunities that were available.
How did you become a volunteer? What was the process?
After I had spoken to Alison I was really keen to get started as a shop volunteer so I popped back into the shop as soon as it opened the following week and had a chat about the role with the shop manager, David. I filled in a volunteer application form and worked in the shop for a days trial to see if the role was a good fit for me. I knew the role was right for me almost straight away.
Could you tell us what a typical shift volunteering might be like for you?
I normally volunteer for two days a week in the shop. David is really flexible which helps me to plan volunteering around my other commitments. I'm involved in most aspects of the shop work, serving and chatting to customers, arranging stock, preparing drinks and smoothies and maintaining cleanliness. It's a really varied role; there's lots of interaction with people from the local community.
Did you have any reservations about volunteering?
None at all!
Would you say that volunteering has changed your life in any way?
Yes, definitely, my confidence has increased and I'm learning so many new skills. I will be completing Barista training soon with Extract Coffee which will be a really useful skill to have.
What's the best thing about volunteering with Buzz?
I think it's the feeling that I'm doing something that benefits others but not expecting anything in return. When I lived in London I was not really involved in my local community and now I live in Bristol I wanted to try and be as involved as I can. I feel I'm supporting and contributing to my local community and I'm very happy to be here.
Would you recommend volunteering to others. If so why?
Yes I would really recommend it, especially for people who have a lot of time on their hands or are unemployed. Volunteering stops you from becoming stagnant in those situations and allows you to learn new skills and meet new people.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I think what the shop is trying to do within the local community is fantastic. It’s a great space to meet other people and find out what is happening in the local area.
I moved to Bristol from London in April and wanted to get to know my neighbours and local community. I think the shop ethos really encourages a sense of community and I thought that working here would be a great way to become more involved.
How did you find out about volunteering roles at Buzz?
I came into the shop on the first opening day at the Love Lockleaze festival. I spoke to Alison the Business Development Manager at Buzz and she told me about the volunteering opportunities that were available.
How did you become a volunteer? What was the process?
After I had spoken to Alison I was really keen to get started as a shop volunteer so I popped back into the shop as soon as it opened the following week and had a chat about the role with the shop manager, David. I filled in a volunteer application form and worked in the shop for a days trial to see if the role was a good fit for me. I knew the role was right for me almost straight away.
Could you tell us what a typical shift volunteering might be like for you?
I normally volunteer for two days a week in the shop. David is really flexible which helps me to plan volunteering around my other commitments. I'm involved in most aspects of the shop work, serving and chatting to customers, arranging stock, preparing drinks and smoothies and maintaining cleanliness. It's a really varied role; there's lots of interaction with people from the local community.
Did you have any reservations about volunteering?
None at all!
Would you say that volunteering has changed your life in any way?
Yes, definitely, my confidence has increased and I'm learning so many new skills. I will be completing Barista training soon with Extract Coffee which will be a really useful skill to have.
What's the best thing about volunteering with Buzz?
I think it's the feeling that I'm doing something that benefits others but not expecting anything in return. When I lived in London I was not really involved in my local community and now I live in Bristol I wanted to try and be as involved as I can. I feel I'm supporting and contributing to my local community and I'm very happy to be here.
Would you recommend volunteering to others. If so why?
Yes I would really recommend it, especially for people who have a lot of time on their hands or are unemployed. Volunteering stops you from becoming stagnant in those situations and allows you to learn new skills and meet new people.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I think what the shop is trying to do within the local community is fantastic. It’s a great space to meet other people and find out what is happening in the local area.