Spotlight on our Volunteers and Community Helpers

 

Whilst the UPLIFT Central Area project has been about growing creativity, it has been as much about nurturing growth in people and the objective to develop community helpers and volunteers was recognised in the role of People Grower, a post held by Lorna Szkliniarz.  We recently met with Lorna and three helpers / volunteers who have come through the project to hear all about their work and the impact its had.

Lorna and Lisa (Top) in a making workshop for Summer Lane's Virtual Bonfire.

Lorna comes from a strong background of community development. Originally a teacher and lecturer in psychology, Lorna went into criminal justice, setting up volunteer programmes before retraining as a drug and alcohol worker with children where she developed a peer mentor programme.

Lorna's and the team's work on the Uplift project has been out and about in 3 communities -Summer Lane, Gilroyd and the New England estate in Worsborough, where they have facilitated and delivered creative activities in all areas. Lorna tells us that in order to do this they have been helped by members of the communities and some Creative Recovery peers - our “helpers”.

"The 3 helpers sharing their stories are people who firmly believe in the positives of giving their time to help others and to promote community action. They have been willing to help across all of the 3 communities and give their time, skills and energy to the Uplift project."

 

We firstly met Lisa Courtney who has been regularly helping in the community for the last year. Lisa was first introduced to the idea of volunteering through an initiative via the Jobcentre advertising a coffee, cake and confidence course. It was here she met Sarah Davey, a Community Development Officer at  Barnsley Council. Sarah looks after volunteer placements and has been instrumental in Lisa’s access to voluntary opportunities which now sees her volunteering approximately 4 days per week amongst different projects across Town. Lisa runs the ‘Coffee, Cake and Community’ group at Worsborough Library every Thursday where people with brain injuries meet up to do arts and crafts and socailise over Bingo and Play your cards right, she is also a regular volunteer for Hope in the Communities Baby and Toddler group every Tuesday.

Virtual Bonfire event at Summer Lane Estate

Lisa has been a consistent helper and invaluable asset to the UPLIFT Central area project. She has 
helped with just about every event that has taken place, with the Vitual Bonfire at Summer Lane and the Christmas Tree gathering at Worsborough being participular highlights. As a resident of the Summer Lane estate Lisa says:  

“I didn’t really know many people on this estate and then people came to the UPLIFT Summer Lane sessions and it was nice to be able to say “Hi” to them after that. Through that I made new friends and have been all over Barnsley, helping out, volunteering and making more new friends. My confidence has grown a hell of a lot since all of this. I’ve pushed myself and pushed myself and have achieved a lot that I didn’t think I could achieve since lockdown.”

Lisa tells us that she feels like a different person since all of her work in the community, a sentiment echoed by Lorna who tells us how much Lisa has blossomed from the woman who barely said a word to the confident helper who uses her initiative and takes charge on projects. Lisa explains that she too has learnt a lot from volunteering and has gained skills and accreditations along the way. She has been awarded her food hygiene certificate and has several referee's when it comes to job references. She plans to use this experience to get into work recognising that training through volunteering is a great opportunity and valuable pathway into work. Her ambition is to work in schools supporting children with special needs and she would like to set up a project to take into schools to shine a light on connumity help and volunteering, to show young people the opportunities it can give you and what can be achieved. As Lisa herself said: “I won’t sit on my backside. I want to get out there and do something to make a difference.”

 

Mark and Lisa on the Summer Lane Estate

Someone who has done just that and used their experience as a community helper to gain employment is Mark Lee’s. Mark is a resident of the Summer Lane estate, and like Lisa he has helped across all 3 areas of the project as well as volunteering at organisations such as Stepping Stones and Hope in the Community. He’s a committed and dedicated community helper whose contributions are far reaching and include litter picking, gardening, and supporting groups with a range of tasks. Mark who has been volunteering alongside his part time work in stewarding and hospitality tells us that he was ready to be in full time employment. Mark has gained employment as a canvasser for Charity, Aid 4 Ummah to support those in need with house repairs. Like his community work, his new role is designed to help people; something which he loves to do and comes naturally to him.

 

Lastly we met Steve Woffinden, a long standing community helper who has worked with Lorna on previous community projects. Steve is a keen and talented photographer, as seen in the picture on the left, taken by Steve whilst out and about on the project. Prior to the UPLIFT project Steve was funded by Barnsley Council to run his own peer/photography group based at the Community Shop in Athersley. The skills he honed and the equipment from here have been brought to Creative Recovery in order to continue to share his skills in the community. Steve has undertaken the volunteer training programme with Creative Recovery and been DBS checked to begin his work with us as an official volunteer. There has been a long standing appetite for photography at Creative Recovery and having Steve and professional equipment on board allows for exciting opportunities in the future! When asked why he chooses to volunteer and the impact at has on him, Steve simply replied: “It gives you a sense of achievement. I just like helping people. But the thing is, they help you as well.” 

 

Lorna tells us that there have been many other helpers throughout the project, some of which have been involved in community projects for the first time and have worked only in their own areas however their energy and enthusiasm has made a real difference to the Uplift activities. For instance, three local helpers in Gilroyd have worked tirelessly to promote the activities, to get their community involved and to help host activities regarding Gilroyd’s local history.

For the Uplift workers it has been a joy to be able to work with and spend time with the helpers. They bring a different angle to the work which is based on their own knowledge and experiences of living in their community. They have shown a huge level of commitment and generosity in terms of sharing their time and energy and they need to be celebrated for having enough faith in the project to involve their family and friends with us too. Their presence and help has had a massive impact on the successes that Uplift has had. 

The team would like to express a big thank you to all involved!