Theatrical volunteers

"I really like the way in which we
participate and feel supported"

- Volunteer

 Why should I volunteer?

There are many reasons why people volunteer. Think about what you can offer, but also what you want to get out of it for yourself before you commit. Monica volunteered so she could get the experience she needed to get a better job. Daniel wanted to practice counselling again, after 10 years as a counsellor in Brazil. And Teresa enjoyed being among other Latin Americans and helping the community in the way they’d helped her.

Carolina:

After finishing university I was trying to get a bit more experience before venturing into a post-graduate degree.  Volunteering gave me a chance to make an informed decision on my future plans and gave me the experience needed to apply to the degrees I was interested in.  I was pleasantly surprised with the level of responsibility that came with my volunteer position and how seriously my work was received.  Besides the learning involved in my volunteer position, I was able to benefit enormously from the courses, workshops and events offered to volunteers.  I have been so surprised as how my CV has grown in the last year.  Finally I have to add that one of the best parts of volunteering was meeting great friends with similar interests and the same enthusiasm!  

Monica:

I wasn’t enjoying my job at all and wanted to find something new, but everywhere I turned I was asked for experience.  I was getting very frustrated.  I then came across a volunteering opportunity and have learned so much.  After a year of helping out and doing a lot of learning I am now working in a job I like.  It was thanks to the experience of volunteering that I was able to be considered for my position. 

Daniel:

I was looking for a place to practice my counselling skills, especially if I could do it in my own language.  It was great to find a place where I could work in Portuguese because it made me feel very confident.  It was also great to help people in my community who were in a similar situation to me when I first arrived. I can remember feeling quite lost and I am glad that I have found organisations that work towards helping different communities.  It was very refreshing to see so many people volunteering to help others.

Teresa:

At the beginning I found it really hard, being away from home.  But back then there were some very good community networks and a friend suggested I join in as she had met a lot of friends during her time there. So that’s how I became part of a community and did some really good work too. I managed to make a life for myself here, but of course I’ll never forget my roots.  Today I am so happy I took my friend’s suggestion that I decided to volunteer again and help other people like they helped me when I first arrived.