No images? Click here
Issue 4
August 2024
Our Voice Matters:
Volunteering and Community
A note from the Resident Voice and Coproduction Team:
We are proud to share this edition of our co-produced newsletter. As part of our ongoing commitment to hearing from a diverse range of people, we are keen to share articles written by residents as part of the People’s Voice community which reflect a range of experiences.
Residents selected the topic of ‘community’ for this edition of the newsletter and have shared their experiences of building and giving back to the community.
At the end of the newsletter there is more information about volunteering opportunities, and volunteering through our People's Voice community.
Please note: the articles reflect the individual opinions and experiences of residents who contributed. The language might not be consistent between articles, and this reflects the individual lived experience and style of the writer.
Quincy - Involvement Board representative
Being involved with People’s Voice has been a really rewarding experience. I’m in my second term as the autism representative on the Involvement Board. I like working with People’s Voice as I feel like I can really make a difference and I’m supported by the team. I know what I’m getting myself into and I feel comfortable asking questions.
I took part in an art project at the Maudsley Hospital that investigated how things were running and how things could be done better. For this project, I took pictures of myself, and other patients, which were exhibited in the hospital. The photos even caught the attention of one of the main psychologists who helped us get the photographs exhibited in a clinic in Clapham Common.
For me, it was important to get involved in this project as I was diagnosed with autism at the Maudsley in 2017. I owe a lot to them as they helped me get therapy. This project was a chance for me to give back to the community that supported me. Getting involved made me feel proud. It felt good to be nominated and to take part as it made me feel that my contribution was appreciated
Taking the photos was a chance to give back and support others. The art pieces were a reminder to patients that they are not alone, and other people have been through what they are going through. It’s nice being able to help others while they are going through difficult times and therapy
I think that anyone thinking about reaching out to a group should do it as there are people who genuinely care. There are people who want to help you and understand what you’re going through.
My advice to get started is:
Ask someone to go with you
Check out the area before you go
Talk to the organisers and tell them about the anxiety you may have and see what accommodations they can make.
Ask as many questions as you can beforehand so you’re not shocked or overwhelmed
In the future, I want to continue to support the autistic community and campaign for change. My ultimate dream would be to have an autism clinic in Barnet named after me that has all the support you need for autism in one place. I hope that in the future I can continue to work with the autistic community to be part of this change.
Anna- Involvement Board representative
Tell Me What You Can't Do
I’ve worked hard, I have a degree
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
I like to watch shows and I sit-ski
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
I have friends that I often see
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
I move around on my wheelie
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
It’s a key part of my identity
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
I’m a human with dignity
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
I fight against your negativity
“Tell me what you can’t do...”
Is this your only focus, the epitome?
My name is Anna Greene. I am one of the members of the Involvement Board representing residents with Physical Disabilities. During my time on the Involvement Board, I have participated in project groups and in July co-hosted a People’s Voice Drop-in session to hear from residents about their experiences of adult social care.
My poem highlights the loneliness that Disabled People can feel if we are constantly asked about our limitations and not our strengths. It can be difficult to build a community when your life experience is outside the norm, and personally that has sometimes made it hard for me to relate to others.
Furthermore, I find that when I meet able bodied people who don’t know me, I don’t get asked about work, socialising or holidays because people assume that you don’t engage with any of these areas of life, or they are afraid to ask in fear of offending.
Volunteering for your community -
A conversation with Alan,
People's Voice member
While speaking with Alan he mentioned a famous quote by Winston Churchill.
“We make a living by what we get and we make a life by what we give”.
For Alan, this means that life is more than just keeping up with trends and buying nice things.
Whilst these things can enhance your life, the reward and feeling you get from giving back and making a difference is much more powerful. Not just for yourself but for the people around you.
Alan believes that “anybody from any background will find volunteering rewarding because it warms your heart.” He strongly believes that volunteering for your community is important, and everybody should give back.
When asked what his favourite experience volunteering was, he struggled to pick one but spoke fondly of his time working with the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust. This project involved introducing a protocol where receptionists would smile and introduce themselves when interacting with patients. He believed this was important as “Receptionists are very valuable as first impressions are often last impressions. A simple smile can change a bad experience and help people remember it more positively.” The simple act of a smile can help people feel more welcome.
If you are reading this and thinking of volunteering Alan has some useful tips:
Work with an organisation that focuses on an area you are passionate about.
Go with somebody you know, this can be a friend, a partner, anyone.
Start small and work your way up.
Just get involved and see how you like it.
We hope these tips inspire you to start volunteering in your local community because as Alan says:
“You don’t know what you’re missing until you start volunteering”.
Volunteering
There are lots of organisations in Barnet looking for volunteers.
For more information about how to get involved visit the Volunteering Barnet website:
Join People's Voice
People’s Voice are a community of residents and carers with lived experience of Adult Social Care in Barnet.
Adult Social Care covers a wide range of activities that help people to live independently and stay well and safe. This includes information and advice, supported living and care homes, support in your home, and to connect with others.
As a member of People’s Voice you can have your say by taking part in different projects to shape and develop services.
You can get involved as much or as little as you want and you will be rewarded for your contribution.
If you require this in an alternative format please contact
engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk
