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Meet Our Volunteers
We're so grateful to everyone who gives their time and skills to help our children and young people. Whether they're helping disabled children access sports through our CADS clubs, helping at one of our events for families of people with rare and complex disabilities or looking after our facilities, the care and support shown by our volunteers makes a world of difference.
On this page we shine a light on just some of our amazing volunteers and the work they do!
Bee Creative!
Sue is a regular volunteer in our school and has helped at CADS and our holiday activity programmes for children and young people. She describes her experience as a volunteer in her own words:
I had reached the stage where my children had grown up and were becoming independent, so finally I had some spare time to devote elsewhere. I had always volunteered in small ways, for example, at school fairs and I had found it rewarding and sociable. I checked out a few volunteering websites to look for opportunities and I came across the Seashell Trust volunteering page. It was informative and well laid out, and made the volunteering process easy. There were a wide range of different volunteering opportunities on offer and I felt I would be able to make a useful contribution.
I volunteer at the Royal School, helping with a cookery class and with art activities. I have also volunteered at a number of CADS sports and activity holiday camps and I did a day’s volunteering in the Finance Department, helping with admin.
In the school, the complex nature of the students disabilities means that they require constant attention and the staff have to work really hard throughout the day. I always feel valued when I set up and clear away a practical activity. The staff simply do not have the time for this and an extra pair of hands helps things run smoothly and provides the students with a more rewarding lesson. I soon became accepted as a useful addition to the cookery class by the staff. Interaction with the students takes longer to develop, but bonds grow over time, and I am now know as “Cookery Sue”. In the art department, I have been involved with many activities, from spray painting willow dragon flies, to helping students with tie dying. I have made new friends, and thanks to Lauren, the art teacher, I am learning lots of new creative skills.
CADS has a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. Each day, you participate in four different activities, many of which are sports, but also include things like drama, music and crafts. I’ve found the best approach is to get stuck in, and the young people will follow. I’ve had the opportunity to try out baseball, wheelchair rugby, taekwondo and African drumming, amongst other things. The days are exhausting and the young people are fun to be around (although there can be challenging moments). It’s evident that the young people really enjoy CADS, and for many of them, it’s probably one of the few places where they can meet lots of other young people from other schools, and everyone gets treated as equals.
Volunteering has brought me satisfaction, social interaction, increased my confidence, and is helping me learn new skills and enjoy new experiences. I would encourage anyone considering volunteering for the Seashell Trust, or any other organisation, to make contact and give it a go. You have nothing to lose by trying, but there’s plenty to gain – skills, friends, self confidence and the feeling that comes from a job well done. Like any new experience, it can be a bit daunting at first, but if you persist, then you’ll start to feel valued and appreciated.
There are many and varied volunteering opportunities at the Seashell Trust. Your skills and expertise from work, hobbies and life experience can all be put to good use to help some of the most vulnerable children in our society get the best they can out of life.
Share Your Skills!
Kieran has been volunteering with Seashell Trust for 7 years, helping out within school holidays on the inclusive sports camps and also at our football club session once a week on Friday’s.
Recently Kieran has taken the opportunity to get the skills required to gain employment, working with children by volunteering 2 days a week within our therapy teams and classrooms, supporting students who have complex learning and communication needs.
Through volunteering, Kieran has become a valuable team member, very likeable, enthusiastic, keen to help out and really great with children and young people. His commitment and contribution as a volunteer really makes a difference to Seashell Trust and we are pleased to be working with Kieran in giving him the skills, experience and feedback to gain employment in the future.
Gain Experience
Ellie is one of our amazing CADS volunteers who helps children and young people of all abilities and disabilities enjoy playing sports together. She describes her experience volunteering with Seashell Trust below:
I first applied to volunteer at Seashell Trust to gain experience with young people, as I love interacting with children and would potentially like to pursue a career with young people. CADS seemed like the perfect opportunity to engage with the young children whilst also having fun! I think I have gained a deeper understanding of the wide range of disabilities children can have. This has meant I am more able to understand situations and provide effective solutions to ensure the children have the best possible experience when taking part in CADS.
What would you say to others thinking about volunteering at Seashell Trust?
Definitely do it! It's such a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both you and the children. The staff are always friendly and welcoming and the children never fail to make you smile, it is definitely a valuable way to spend your time.
