Volunteer Week Terry's Story

Hi my name is Terry and I have been volunteering for SNFMH since October 2024 as a Volunteer Buddy.

 Most of my life I have worked in the Manufacturing/Warehouse Industry up until 2020. I have had my struggles in life. I have suffered with Anxiety from a very young age, dealt with quite a bit off grief, especially when losing my Grandad, Nan and Mom. This led to Depression. I am also six years clean from having a Alcohol problem. In 2018, I finally admitted to myself I was a full blown Alcoholic and I decided to seek professional help due to Liver Inflammation. One day at a time as they say. It's been a long, hard road but as I mentioned, six years sober on June 4th 2025.

When I came out of Detox, I thought that's it, I'm fine and all I wanted to do was get back into work but little did I know that getting sober was just the beginning, I got thoughts and feelings back which had been numbed for a long time. I went back into the Manufacturing Industry and after a few months, I realised that it wasn't for me anymore. A lot of the Mental Health issues I had suffered over the years was due to stress at work and pressure that this industry had put me under. and when COVID hit the UK, I was let go due to the company having to make cuts. 

After COVID, I once again applied for Manufacturing/Warehouse positions, I got quite a few interviews and was actually offered the positions for most of them. Although, when it came to starting the role, on the morning I would have really bad Anxiety and Panic Attacks to the point where I felt like passing out. This happened quite a few times when I was due to start a new job. 

I decided I needed to get help for myself. There was odviously something personally going on. I consulted my GP who then pointed me in the direction of Counselling. I had Confidence and Self Esteem Counselling and Bereavement Counselling. I wasn't 100% convinced these helped due to few aspects I wasn't happy about, I won't go into it.

After this I was sat at home in my own head, struggling with Depression and Anxiety. I felt like I'd hit a STOP sign not knowing which direction to go. I don't know what or why but woke up and I was fed up of being fed up, sick and tired of being sick and tired, so I started to look into volunteering. I was passionate about Crime Prevention but also, I felt I wanted to help people who are struggling with Addiction. Although I specifically looked at these kind of roles, I kept an open mind and was more than happy to do any sort of volunteering which was involved helping others in the community. After registering my interest on a Volunteer Website, I got an email from a Volunteer Advisor at Support Staffordshire who were interested in meeting me to discuss opportunities in the Stafforshire area. I was eventually taken on as a Volunteer Buddy for Support Staffordshire in March 2024. After a few months, I was a Team Meeting and Kim, the Volunteer Buddy Development Officer, mentioned that SNFMH were looking for volunteers in a similar role. I expressed a great interest and was introduced to Kate and Carolann who welcomed me to the team.

Since volunteering for SNFMH I have been introduced to one Client who I have now met four times and have another two meet ups planned. As well as helping others, SNFMH have given me the opportunity to improve myself. I have supported Carolann and Svitlana at a few Events. I feel this is helping greatly with my confidence. I have attended a number of workshops and courses including Budget Training, Work/Life Balance Workshop, Neurodiversity in the Workplace Champions Course, Boundary Training, Laughing Yoga and MECC/HCS Train the Trainer Programme.

Volunteering for SNFMH has been an absolutely incredible experience. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Carolann goes above and beyond to make sure we are coping ok with our own Mental Health as well as the Clients. I have such a laugh with everyone but also share a professional goal. I wish I could give 100% of my time to SNFMH but other commitments have prevented me from doing so. I volunteer at four other societies, all of which share the same goal, helping others. I look forward to being apart of the team at SNFMH for a very long time. The professionalism and commitment they give is above and beyond.

Volunteering as a whole has given me a purpose and a calling. I feel helping others is what I'm supposed to be doing in life and there is no greater reward than being a part of someone struggling with Mental Health, finding their identity.