Tina has been supported by United Response since 2005. She has been working as a volunteer at the local Rainbows for just over a year.
Tina’s key worker, Makiko Hastings asked her some questions about how she got this position and how it makes her feel.
Maki: Why did you want to do this volunteer work?
Tina: I like children and being with them. I wanted to get experience with working with children and hopefully I will be able to work in a primary school or something in the future.
Maki: What do you enjoy the most at the Rainbows?
Tina: Helping. I get my turn to run (she said ‘run’ but she does ’support’) the session. It’s good to help, isn’t it?
Maki: It is indeed. How do you feel when you are helping the children?
Tina: I feel responsible. I like being responsible.
Maki: What sort of thing do you do?
Tina: Singing opening songs, playing games and reading out poems.
Maki: Do you feel nervous or find it difficult to do things like that in front of them?
Tina: I don’t feel nervous. But I find reading difficult in front of kids. I need to practice a lot. It would be nice to have someone to help me reading regularly.
Tina’s staff team has been implementing this whenever possible and are looking for a volunteer to do this at the moment.
Maki: Is there anything you feel has changed since working at the Rainbows?
Tina: I think I am more understanding and thoughtful. And I enjoy working with children more.
Maki: That sounds wonderful. From a staff point of view, I think you have become much more confident too.
Maki: Now, can you tell me what’s important to you working at the Rainbows?
Tina: Being there for them to help if they need to. Things like cutting paper if they need a help and listening to them.
Maki: OK. I think you are very good at that now. What do you think is important to those children then?
Tina: To listen! Some of them are very noisy and keep giggling and taking their shoes off and stuff!
Maki: What do you do about that?
Tina: You just have to laugh and smile. They are only five or six years old. The leader has to keep them in control. Like Sally.
Tina is studying for a Leadership Qualification. Sally McDonagh, who is the Rainbows Leader and who also works for United Response, explains that this is a little like an NVQ and will mean being in charge of or overseeing sessions. Maki asks Tina about this qualification.
Maki: What sort of things did you need to do?
Tina: Knowing about the Rainbows, health and safety, session planning etc.
Maki: And how are you getting on with that?
Tina: Nearly finished!
Maki: Brilliant! Was it hard so far?
Tina: Reading was hard. It took time as I get stuck with words. But I feel I am getting better with reading than before.
Maki: That’s great! It certainly shows your achievement. When you complete it, you definitely deserve your qualification, Tina.
Maki asks Tina if she has any advice for people who area looking for a job.
Tina: Do what you want to do. You can always ask people around you. Your staff, people at job centre can help you. You can get information from the internet or go to the shops (directly). Just keep trying. It’s good to try different jobs if you can’t find what you like but it’s worth waiting for.
Maki: That was definitely good advice, Tina. Thank you very much for your time.
