Volunteer Stories

Jamal

Part of Sessional Lead Team

Why did you decide to volunteer for The Maypole Project?

I really wanted to do something to help people less fortunate than me and The Maypole Project sounded like a really good opportunity. I don’t think I realised how much I would enjoy volunteering there and how amazing the people running it would be!

What do you find most enjoyable about your volunteering?

Seeing children gain in confidence while being at a Maypole Active session is really special, especially when you know how much they have enjoyed being there and that you helped to make it enjoyable for them. I also love watching how the more experienced volunteers and staff are able to engage with the kids and I’ve learnt a lot from them.

What three words sum up your volunteering at The Maypole Project?

Inspiring, uplifting and humbling

Lily

Maypole volunteer since July of 2023 and more recently joined the sessional lead team. 

Why did you decide to volunteer for The Maypole Project?

To give me a better insight into working with children and to develop my teamworking and communication skills, whilst also helping to support children and young people in my local area.  

What do you find most enjoyable about your volunteering?

Currently, I volunteer at the Wednesday Active Club and on some of the holiday outings too! I love helping out at both of these, as there is nothing better than seeing the kids enjoy themselves whilst running around playing the floor is lava or when on a trip to Chessington.  

If you had to pick one thing you love about volunteering what would it be?

it would have to be that everyone is just so lovely! No matter if you’ve met another volunteer for the first time or if you’ve seen them every week for a year, everyone clicks, and you fit in pretty much immediately. I have learnt lot from volunteering, from everyone at the Maypole Project, including other volunteers. 

You get support from everyone at The Maypole Project – both training when you first join up and from the team throughout trips and sessions. You will learn so much from your time here and will make some great connections with the people you work with! Furthermore, volunteering is incredibly flexible, so it’s really easy to take part in something, even if it’s not on a weekly basis – every little helps.