Rose is one of the volunteers who each play a valuable role as part of the team at our charity.
She contacted Caring Together after reading how vitally important our counselling service was to unpaid carers, who were struggling alone, isolated and reaching crisis point.
Rose, who is studying for a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, joined us last year as a volunteer trainee counsellor. As part of achieving her counselling qualification, she is required to undertake 100 hours of client counselling in a placement.
This is where Caring Together came in. We were able to offer Rose a volunteer placement within our counselling team and she has now completed her 100 hours.
She said volunteering with our charity was an ‘amazing and enjoyable experience and added, “Stephanie, the counselling and wellbeing service manager was friendly and approachable and Caring Together seemed really professional and supportive for trainees, so it was a no brainer.”
Stephanie, counselling and wellbeing service manager at Caring Together said, “We shall certainly miss Rose within the counselling service. She has provided our team and the clients she has worked with a warm, ethical, and caring approach and it is clear she has grown in confidence as a practitioner over the last 10 months.
We wish Rose all the very best in her future endeavours and know that she will end her placement as a professional, therapeutic counselling practitioner. ”
We spoke to Rose further about her experience of being a volunteer with Caring Together.
Do you have any personal experience of caring for a family member, friend, or partner?
A relative had dementia in his latter years. A wonderful man. He remained at home for as long as possible before going into specialist residential care. Another relative did an amazing job caring for him and many of us in the family offered help and support.
Not all families are in that lucky position and many carers are thrown into the role unexpectedly. It can be very daunting and isolating if you’re on your own at this difficult time.
What have you learnt about unpaid carers and the challenges they face?
Carers are so dedicated, loving and caring that they forget about what they need and taking time out for themselves. They often feel isolated, overwhelmed, exhausted and often guilty if they take even a few hours off. They can have a lot of other issues that are troubling them perhaps from the past as well as the current time and they have not had the time or space to process this. Helping carers, giving them space to talk and time dedicated to them is so very worthwhile in so many ways.
What would you say to someone who was considering volunteering for Caring Together as a trainee counsellor?
You will find it so rewarding and it will really help the clients you see no end. The counselling team and set up is professional, supportive and so friendly. I am very grateful for my time with my colleagues and especially the clients I have worked with, it is an utter privilege. I will miss my Thursdays with Caring Together!
When you are not volunteering for Caring Together, what else do you like to do?
I love going to gigs, festivals and the theatre. I am just getting into open water swimming and last year did a night swim at Rutland Water which was quite an experience! I also love spending time with my partner, adult kids and we also have three cats. We are renovating our house out the moment, so life is quite hectic!
You too can make a difference
We have volunteer roles ranging from counsellors with our counselling service to administration roles, or supporting our day clubs and young carer groups and activities.
If you would like to use or develop your skills we would love to hear from you, do get in touch.
To have a chat call our volunteer coordinator on 0345 2410954 or visit our volunteer page.
