{"id":593,"date":"2024-07-31T11:34:27","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T10:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/getinvolved\/volunteering\/youth-volunteering\/volunteer-stories\/"},"modified":"2024-07-31T11:31:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T10:31:30","slug":"volunteer-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nhslothian.scot\/getinvolved\/volunteer-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

World Mental Health Day 10 October 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This World Mental Health Day, Melissa, one of our volunteers shares how her volunteering positively impacts her mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Having volunteered for nearly a decade, the improvement in my mental health and well-being has been profound. As I tried to counter the overwhelm I was feeling, I found that the benefits of volunteering outweighed the psychological toll that my mental health placed on me and it was central to my recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was able to combat feelings of deep rooted loneliness and in turn find my purpose. Volunteering offered flexibility. Having experienced mental health challenges, volunteering allowed me to overcome the difficulties I faced. I could help causes I care so deeply about and also aid my own recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteering helps you to develop communication skills that are crucial to us all. In a world where we are becoming increasingly disconnected, volunteering fosters a sense of community which has benefited my well-being immeasurably. I no longer struggle to understand my place and my confidence has grown. I have always suffered from low self esteem but now I trust my own judgement and volunteering has allowed me to develop this belief in myself. As well as changing the way things work for the better, volunteering alongside people with similar interests helped me build meaningful friendships. Volunteering was the best choice I made. I am happier and feeling that way should be a priority for us all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lots of people volunteer to gain a sense of purpose, belonging and to feel part of a wider community and in fact it\u2019s in the top three reasons why people volunteer in NHS Lothian. As a NHS Volunteer you join a community of over 800 volunteers across the organisation working together to support patients and families across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to volunteer with us to help improve your mental health then please check out our main volunteering opportunities page for updates on when we will be opening recruitment for certain age groups and roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Volunteering as a person with autism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grace’s Story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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I knew at that point in my life that I would not be able to hold down a job. I was only just recovering from my bad experience of school; I was only just getting my head round what being autistic meant; I was only just learning who I was. It wouldn\u2019t have been sustainable, or good for my wellbeing to be working at that point.<\/p>\nGrace, Clothing Store Volunteer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Like a lot of autistic young people, I really struggled at school. By the end of school, I had been out of mainstream education for almost 3 years. I attended a specialist neurodiversity service two times a week, but this was going to stop on my 18th<\/sup> birthday. I was anxious about how I would fill my days. I knew I had to find a way to get out of the house, have a sense of purpose in my week, and develop the skills I had missed out on learning at school. What was appealing about volunteering was the flexibility and autonomy it brings. I knew I would be able to go at my own pace and easily get the accommodations I needed for my autism. I applied for the clothing store at the Royal Infirmary. The role included organising and displaying the stock, to help patients in need to access clothes. This would help them mentally and physically as it allowed them to get out of hospital gowns and out of their beds.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Grace,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If I\u2019m being honest, what attracted me to this role was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The idea of sorting stuff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The job description stated that I would have to be okay working my myself for long periods of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sounded like heaven to my autistic brain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the application process, I was open about my autism diagnosis. This allowed me to get accommodations like receiving the interview questions beforehand, a step-by-step walkthrough of what the role consisted of; the option to do training online; and extra information to calm my nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were also a few things I did which helped me at the start of my volunteering: I made myself a social story with clear statements, accompanying photos and a routine to follow during my shift. I was very restrictive about what I would wear \u2013 down to my socks! \u2013 to take away any anxiety or choice before. I prepared scripts for what I would say to any nurses who visited the clothing store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not going to pretend it was easy at the start. On the way there, I would be so anxious I would contemplate not going. There were instances where I had to hide in the toilet because I would get so overwhelmed. I spent a lot of time thinking I\u2019d said something wrong or feeling disgusted because I touched a funny piece of fabric. Very often I would fall asleep as soon as I got home because I was so exhausted and drained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the more I did it \u2013 it got easier! Soon I no longer needed my social story. I could choose what socks I wore on the day. I could have impromptu conversations with people and not start crying. To me, these were pretty big achievements!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My role in the clothing store developed my confidence, adaptability, and commitment. With being out of school for so long, it was hard at the start to get up and out to every shift \u2013 it was certainly a change from my usual routine. Now, being equipped with this experience, I feel much more able to plan my week and stick to it, which helps with all aspects of my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of my autism, I am a very anxious person and I often have low self-esteem. Since having my role in the clothing store, I am a changed person. I am much more able to make small talk or go somewhere new \u2013 things non-autistic people would take for granted, but are so hard for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Autism makes my comfort zone very small. But volunteering has shown me that when I do step outside it, I can achieve great things.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n