I have been volunteering with first steps for over a year, helping co-ordinate the young people's groups. I decided to volunteer as I had experienced an eating disorder over ten years ago as a teenager, I was hospitalised on three occasions, the third time I was lucky enough to have the support to help me towards recovery, I found somebody I could talk to. By volunteering I wanted to be able to offer hope that there is the possibility of recovery. Volunteering has been very rewarding; it’s been challenging and at times difficult. Volunteering has made me realise what a skill it is to be able to help someone find their own way, it made me realise that not everybody is ready to recover, but by coming to the group they have made the first step towards a new life, one that doesn’t involve an eating disorder. The most rewarding part of volunteering has been seeing the change in some of the young people from when they first joined us. I hope we can continue to be supportive and can offer a safe place to talk. It’s a service I wish I’d have had when I was in that situation. It enables the young people to make friends and rids them of some of the isolation even for just a short time, I’m glad to be a part of that."
KR - Volunteer Group Facilitator
"It's fantastic volunteering for an organisation that seeks to be led by service users. It has the freedom to be client-centered without restriction, which many 'client-led' organisations cannot claim! There is so much happening on so many levels, there is a real sense of belonging to a network that is meeting the challenge of eating disorders on every front - where all volunteers are valued equally and given the chance to use their skills in as many areas as they want without any pressure to do so at the same time! It’s an inclusive service for both clients and volunteers! If only more places like this existed."
Michelle Ward - Volunteer Counsellor
"I have really enjoyed working with First Steps Derbyshire, I think it is a great charity to be a part of, not only are the volunteers and board committed to the charity and the way that we run, but they are 100% committed to the people we support - that's rare to find these days. I am looking forward to continuing to work with First Steps and developing the charity even more, the more we continue to grow as a charity the more people we can make contact with, and if that is one more person we can support then we are happy!"
Stephanie Mawer - Volunteer HR Advisor
"The Derbyshire Eating Disorders Service is keen to work with First Steps self help group for people with eating disorders. The opportunity to attend a self help group can be a valuable contribution to aid recovery. We aim to routinely provide people using our service with information about local self help groups so that they can have the opportunity to attend the group as a useful addition to the psychological treatment they receive from our service."
Helen Crowson - Clinical Lead, Derbyshire Eating Disorders Service
"I have volunteered for First Steps for about three years and find it such an interesting and rewarding experience. I still remember the first time I came along to the group, I was so nervous and really didn’t know what to expect. What I found were a group of supportive, kind and caring people who are all there for each other and really want to do their best to get better and help each other to do so. I struggled with eating difficulties quite a while ago and never really talked to anyone at the time, so it took me a while to get used to being able to talk about it openly and honestly to people. But I realised that sharing my experiences, and what helped me to recover, could help other people. However, I think that one of the most useful things we do as volunteers is to give people a chance to talk and listen to their stories. I have met so many fantastic people through First Steps, both members and volunteers, and hope to keep volunteering for years to come."
Volunteer Support Worker
"I feel honoured and privledged to have received an award and to be apart of First Steps. I am so happy to be apart of such a wonderful organisation and to be able to input into that much needed support that is given through First Steps to service users. I have met such lovely people and feel truly blessed to be a volunteer for First Steps. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the work of First Steps."
Volunteer Award Winner 2010
On behalf of the wellbeing team I’d like to say a big Thank you to Cathy and Rob for coming to give an excellent presentation last week at The University. Feedback from those that attended was that it was very interesting, useful and gave a really clear picture of the services on offer which will help staff here to make appropriate referrals.
Derby University Student Wellbeing Service
Volunteering has helped me with my self esteem, confidence and generally feeling more positive about stuff. First steps is and remains the only place where I feel accepted as myself.
Volunteer Admin Worker
I caught the footage on The One Show last night. Really good publicity for First Steps, it came across really well. Regards
D D Rolls Royce, Community Investment Specialist, Community Relations
I saw the slot about your work on The One Show the other night, which was great, as it gave me a better insight into the work you do with young people. Congratulations, you have a wonderful project going. I was just relaying this information to my colleague, so, thought I should let you know how great your project looks and the work you do. Hope it is ok but, I am giving out your information to some of the schools that we work in .
J M Support Co-ordinator Domestic Abuse, Children & Young People's Support Services, South Derbyshire CVS
Watched the One Show tonight and thought the section on First Steps Derbyshire was brilliant, and you looked amazing. Great role model for users of the service. Well done on the show and all the hard work that you are doing.
Saw you on The One Show last night – it was great to see the results of the fabulous work that you do. I’ll try and get a piece into Reach Out newsletter next week about it. Best wishes, J.
Community Action Derby
I just wanted to say that we have had a great response from the public and from the team at The One Show about your film. Thanks so much for all your help and best of luck with First Steps in the future. I hope that you all liked it.
Steven Producer/Director THE ONE SHOW
I saw the section on the One Show last night, it was great!!! And brilliant publicity for you! Best wishes
SC
Head of Business Strategy, Business Strategy Directorate, Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust
I would like to thank everybody at first steps especially on the Thursday night meeting, it has been a learning curve i shall never forget in my entire life. That first foot through the door seems so vital. Now after meeting with others in similar circumstances with they're life and how it affects their day-to-day living was an eye opener to me on a very personal note. Each meeting i saw more people with different issues with life and hoping of beating their problems, with the friendship of all people with in the group they would open up and become part of something very special. I would like to thank everyone once again for their time and help, questions and sometimes pointing things out. I have seen this has been the best help yet.
- Service User
