At BSARCS we have volunteers as part of our team. Volunteers bring new knowledge and enthusiasm into the services that we provide. Rachel has been volunteering for BSARCS for quite some time, and supports the development team in the frontline facilitation of group work in our wellbeing group and our post support group for those who have completed service with us. Not only does Rachel breathe a breath of fresh air into our group sessions every week, she chose to raise money for BSARCS by completing a colour run in June 2023. We caught up with Rachel to find out more:
“I wanted to raise money for BSARCS as I do a lot of charity work, I do a lot to do with Alzheimer’s, cancer, domestic abuse, and sexual violence, as myself or other people I know have been affected. I wanted to raise money for a local charity and this was perfect.
“I wanted to become a volunteer due to previously using the service myself. I wanted to help other adults and children who are in the position that I had been and show them there is a positive outcome to something so horrible. I also volunteered to get myself back into work and this was a good way to do so. It gave me confidence to find myself a part time job.
“My volunteering role: I work with the group facilitators to help women, giving them extra support before and after their work with BSARCS. We provide a comfortable space to talk about feelings, and give them tools to help with things like sleep issues, anxiety, and whatever they share they need support with. In our grounding discussions, we provide creative activities such as pebble painting. This can be really relaxing and is a time when people usually open up.
“For the fundraising I and my partner Stuart did for BSARCS, we completed the colour run in June. We prepared by going on runs when we could and getting a little bit fitter.”
Stuart shared:
“I wanted to help my partner as she has been through the service, and I wanted to show my support to her and others going through similar things.”
BSARCS said:
“We love the support for BSARCS and for each other shared by Rachel and Stuart, and cannot thank them enough for the money raised to support the work of BSARCS.
“BSARCS worked with 1500 individuals last year, and the £105 raised by these two colourful runners will go a long way in continuing the support we offer.
“And let’s not forget the week by week support that we continue to receive from Rachel as a volunteer in our group sessions!”
