Lorraine, Volunteer Therapist

On a visit to the Health & Wellness Hub I quickly realised I wanted to be part of this holistic environment. I really liked the grass root approach along with the hubs visions, missions & values. Being a busy working mum and bringing up my autistic son on my own has been really challenging. I wasn’t aware of what stress was and for a long time I suffered shoulder aches and pains and many headaches.

 

I discovered Reiki and I was totally hooked on how relaxed I was and my pain had reduced. Reading up on anxiety and stress and how it affects your body and mind. I knew I wanted to learn more.

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After I qualified with Reiki level 2 and Indian Head Massage I wanted to work freelance but found this very difficult due to my dyslexia. Understanding how to run and promote my business proved too much.

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To this day I will always recommend the fantastic benefits of Reiki & massage to anyone and everyone who is struggling and suffering with physical and emotional issues that a busy lifestyle creates.

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Everyone deserves to be happy, content and have pain management options. Volunteering allows me to feel part of a team that promotes and practices wellbeing.

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Volunteer Therapist

Before I started volunteering at the Health & Wellness Hub I suffered from anxiety and depression. I isolated myself from people and had no confidence in myself.

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Over the first few weeks I was so nervous and found it difficult to talk to people. All the girls in the hub were so friendly and kind to me and I started to feel more at home and was less nervous and anxious. It was then I could start talking and getting to know our service users.

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I found I was good at massage, so the Health & Wellness Hub secured me a training course on Swedish Massage and Reiki. I was so grateful to them and truly love volunteering with the girls at the hub and meeting new people. It has brought my confidence and self-esteem on leaps and bounds. My depression can still get the better of me though, but I know I have wonderful support with people I can now talk to and share my thoughts and I feel like I can trust so much better now.

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Volunteer Therapist

I first went to the Hub about 18 months ago.  I was low in mood, low in self-esteem and after in a lot of pain. Although I knew some of the people and volunteers there it took me a while to “come out of my shell” a bit.  The volunteers were fantastic.  They not only made me feel amazing after my treatment but the interaction and fun they all had really encouraged me to go back every week. In fact, I built my week around it.

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It was not only the treatments, it was spending time and all the volunteers were so encouraging that I began to believe in myself more.  

It really changed my life.  I always looked forward to going.  The girls then “planted the seed” that maybe I could be trained to become a volunteer.  At first, I laughed it off but every week as my confidence grew, they knew it was the right time for me.  I went for it! I am now trained in Reiki and Indian Head Massage.

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My mood is now so much better.  My confidence has grown more than I ever could have imagined.  Now when I meet people in the street I am so much more positive than I used to be. For me to help someone now by offering and giving a treatment is amazing.  If I can help anyone feel just a little bit better, I love it!

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To me, becoming a volunteer has really changed my life.  I have made some great friends; the volunteers are all so very kind-hearted people. Becoming a volunteer, myself and being able to help anyone is one of the most important things in my life.  I am a totally changed person. I began to build my confidence up.  Take more care of myself physically and mentally. There is no pressure on me that being employed has.  I love being a volunteer.  I will never be able to thank the Hub enough.  I tell everyone that! My life has changed in every way it possibly could.

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Elaine, Volunteer Therapist

I first started attending the Hub weekly from April 2015.  I was low in mood, low in self-esteem and in a lot of pain. Although I knew some of the people and volunteers there it took me a while to “come out of my shell” a bit.  The volunteer therapists were fantastic.  They not only made me feel amazing after my treatment but the interaction and fun they all had really encouraged me to go back every week. In fact, I built my week around it.

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It was not only the treatments I got benefit from, it was spending time with all the volunteers who were so encouraging that I began to believe in myself more.  

It really changed my life.  I always looked forward to going.  The girls then “planted the seed” that maybe I could be trained to become a volunteer therapist too.  At first I laughed it off but every week as my confidence grew, they knew it was the right time for me.  I went for it! I am now trained in Reiki , Swedish massage and Indian Head Massage.

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My mood is now so much better.  My confidence has grown more than I ever could have imagined.  Now when I meet people in the street I am so much more positive than I used to be. For me to help someone now by offering and giving a treatment is amazing.  If I can help anyone feel just a little bit better, then it’s great, I love it!

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To me, becoming a volunteer has really changed my life.  I have made some really great friends; the volunteers are all so very kind hearted people. Becoming a volunteer therapist myself and being able to help anyone is one of the most important things in my life.  I am a totally changed person and I have lots of confidence now and take more care of myself physically and mentally.

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I will never be able to thank the Hub enough.  I tell everyone that! My life has changed in every was it possibly could.

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Norma, Volunteer Therapist

Before volunteering, I felt isolated and stuck in a rut.  Since I started volunteering, I have felt my confidence come back and I have met lots of friendly people.  I have formed good friendships with other volunteers.  Through volunteering I have been lucky enough to be trained in other therapies such as Indian Head Massage and I am a mental health first aider too. I wouldn’t have achieved this if I hadn’t been a volunteer.

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Karen, Volunteer Therapist

Before I started volunteering at the hub, I had lost a lot of confidence and was struggling with low self-esteem. I felt stuck and isolated, so I decided it was time to do something for myself, and volunteering seemed like the perfect choice. As a single parent, it was difficult to find something just for me, but when I came across the hub, I knew it was exactly what I needed! I chose to volunteer to build my confidence and meet like-minded people. From the moment I was introduced to the hub by Routes to Work, I felt passionate about the services and knew this was the right place for me.

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The Hub was incredibly welcoming and everyone was so open in sharing their journeys and personal stories. It was great meeting new people and getting to know them. After completing my six-week introductory, I received training in Swedish Massage, which I really enjoyed. The best part was that the training was provided in-house by The Hub's Training Facilitator.

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After completing my therapy training, I started helping with groups and activities at the community hub. I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people and feel like I’m making a meaningful difference. Supporting others has also helped me in return as receiving positive feedback boosts my confidence and makes me feel good about myself.

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Throughout my volunteering journey, I’ve been supported every step of the way, and the encouragement I’ve received has meant so much to me. The support has been incredible, and it’s had a positive impact on my mental health as well. I would highly recommend volunteering to anyone looking to reconnect with the community, meet new people, learn new skills, and open new doors. Joining the volunteer program has truly been life-changing for me, as I continue to grow each week and now have a much more positive outlook on life.

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Ashley, Volunteer Therapist

I first attended The Health and Wellness Hub with the encouragement of my support worker from One Parent Family Scotland. I was battling anxiety and depression so I was hesitant at first, but my support worker assured me it would be worth it. During the first session I felt nervous however, my worries quickly faded as soon as I walked through the doors of the Hub. The welcoming atmosphere really helped me settle and I knew right away that I was in a safe and supportive space.

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I attended a group that was targeted at supporting single parents. Being a single mum to two kids, I found it hard to make friends or do things for myself outside of taking care of them. I instantly felt a sense of relief knowing that others at the group shared similar experiences. Over the course of 8 weeks, I received holistic therapies and had the opportunity to participate in activities like yoga and meditation.

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During those 8 weeks, I noticed a big change in how I felt. Just being able to chat with other parents, volunteers and the staff made a huge difference in my mood. I felt happier and more confident than I had in a long time. The atmosphere at The Hub was amazing, and I really connected with the people there. That's why I made up my mind that I wanted to join as a Volunteer Holistic Therapist to be able to support others.

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I had a meeting with the volunteer coordinator Ashley, she was so kind and understanding. She took the time to explain everything to me and assured me that she'd be there for me every step of the way and help rebuild my confidence. When I started massage training, I was really nervous and my anxiety was acting up, but both the Training Coordinator Norma  and the Volunteer Coordinator Ashley were incredibly supportive and cheered me on throughout the process. After completing my Swedish Massage Training, I completed my first volunteering hours for the Pearls Women's Group, and it was an amazing experience.

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Being at the Hub has been a game-changer for me in dealing with my anxiety. It's motivated me to strive for more, not just for myself but also for my kids. Now, I'm a regular at the Hub, attending weekly, also participating in volunteer development days and community events. I've got more training lined up to improve my skills further. Having this routine has given me something to look forward to each week, which is amazing. I used to doubt if I'd ever find my way back into employment, but after experiencing the support and opportunities at the Hub, I am now looking for a part time job.

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Lauren, Volunteer

In the past year, I became a member of The Health and Wellness Hub, starting off as a service user. Dealing with bipolar disorder, PMSD, ADHD, and sciatica means each day brings its own set of hurdles. I was struggling to get out and get into a routine so I started attending the hubs Zumba class every week and I found this really helped me mentally.

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After the Zumba classes ended, I noticed a significant drop in my mood without the weekly sessions to look forward to. I came across a post on the Hub's Facebook page about volunteering opportunities. With my ongoing health challenges, I really doubted my ability to be able to commit. However, I took a big leap and decided to call and enquire about it.

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I was invited in to discuss participating in a 6-week introduction to volunteering at the Hub, where I could also take part in various activities. From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease. The volunteers, staff, and other service users all contributed to creating a welcoming environment. During those six weeks, I had the opportunity to experience massage, reiki, and CBE classes, which I absolutely loved. These introductory sessions helped me realize that volunteering at the Hub was exactly what I wanted to do.

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A few weeks later, I began holistic training, again something that I doubted I could manage due to my ADHD, which makes it hard for me to focus and take in information. To my surprise, I completed my first day feeling lighter and relieved. For the first time in a while, I was able to fully concentrate and absorb everything being taught. The relaxed atmosphere of the session helped ease my nerves, and I found it reassuring to know that I had nothing to worry about.

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Every week, I meet with my support worker, and she's noticed a significant change in me. I've gained more confidence, and I'm determined to improve and manage my illnesses better. I feel like I have a sense of purpose and something to be proud of myself for. I can’t wait to do more at the hub and get stuck into as much as I can.

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Donny, Administration Volunteer

During a break from school, I decided to volunteer at the Hub to gain work experience. At the time, I lacked confidence and wasn’t comfortable communicating with the public so I thought helping the admin team would be a good challenge. The staff at the Hub were incredibly supportive, training me in various administrative tasks before I moved on to reception duties. There was never any pressure and everyone was so understanding. I felt nervous at first as it was all new to me, but the service users were friendly and I always had the staff to rely on for help when needed.

Before long, I started to build my confidence and learn new skills, such as money handling, answering and directing calls, managing bookings, and using charity log. I was a bit nervous to start taking calls as I thought I would get overwhelmed, but after getting through the first couple, my anxiety eased and I soon found myself handling them comfortably.

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While I was gaining valuable experience and confidence, what I loved most was interacting with the service users. Each day was different and making even one person smile made me feel like I’d achieved something meaningful.

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I quickly grew to enjoy the role and it was rewarding to know that even a brief conversation at the reception desk could positively impact someone’s day. One day, I had a conversation with a service user who wasn’t feeling great. By the end of our chat, we were both laughing and they left in a better mood. It felt good knowing I had made a difference and that they knew they were always welcome, even just for a cup of tea and a chat.

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I would recommend the hub to everyone but especially if you would like some experience working with the community and gaining various skills that may come in handy for the future. I’m truly grateful for everything the Hub has done for me and now I feel ready to take on an apprenticeship.