Maggi's story

Maggi has volunteered with Edinburgh Community Mediation Project (ECMP) for six months, where they have given her the support she needed to help her grow in confidence.

"In 1993, I went to my doctor because I hadn't been sleeping well and had other symptoms and she told me I was suffering from depression. I laughed and told her I just wanted some tablets to help me feel better and she gave me some form of anti-depressant. Following a nervous breakdown and a kidney infection, I felt so ill I stayed off work for a week and that was almost six years ago.

As I was beginning to get better, a number of events in my personal life halted my recovery. For a few months, I attended a mental health unit and they suggested doing something to get me into the working environment which filled me with dread. I was referred to Marion Findlay at the Volunteer Centre Edinburgh and, after various aborted attempts, managed to visit her and, after only a short while, had an interview for a post.

When she told me that something had come up, I was both terrified and excited because it was such a long time since I had been in an office that I had no idea how I would react. But Marion gave me the confidence to phone up the ECMP and arrange for an interview.

I was so nervous but I knew that I had nothing to lose because it was a voluntary post and if it didn't suit either of us then I could leave or they could ask me to leave. When I arrived there, I was so impressed by the informality of the office and everyone was so nice. I told them about my long term depression and what I was hoping to gain by taking this position. They told me what was involved and I said I would be willing to try it out. The next morning I got a phone call asking me to start the next week.

I must admit that I was really scared - especially I was scared that I couldn't do the work. However, they were all very kind and showed me how the office works and what goes on and I grew in confidence week by week. They are all so encouraging and supportive. My confidence has grown over the weeks and I do all sorts of different things. I answer the phone, work on the computer and do all sorts of responsible jobs. They always tell me about cases that have come up or whatever is happening. I find such support in their confidence about my work and they let me get on with whatever they give to me.

They have given me hope about my future. That perhaps one day I may be able to go out into the big wide world and do a decent job and get some satisfaction from it.

I'm not the lame duck you thought I was and I can cope with situations as well as anyone else.

Just when you thought there was no hope, people like Marion Findlay think you can do it and you have to prove to them, as well as yourself, that you can do it. You have to be yourself and try to recapture that person you were. That person is still there even though you don't think it is and you have to be that person, even if only for a little while. Confidence is everything after a mental illness and trying to recapture that is very difficult, but you have to keep trying for yourself.

Once you have the confidence in yourself, then you are home and dry. Don't look back. Keep striving forwards." Maggi.

Colette Fitzpatrick and Ellie Barnett at Edinburgh Community Mediation Project, (ECMP) spoke about the sorts of arrangements they have which provide that extra support.

Before agreeing to take on a volunteer, Colette and Ellie spoke with the whole staff team - including those not involved in managing volunteers. It was very important that the organisation supported having a volunteer, and discussed the implications.

Both sides were very 'up front', at the very beginning, being clear about what they could offer and what they were looking for. Maggi was very clear about wanting to try out being back in an office and about wanting to work in a busy environment. Likewise, the organisation were clear about the sort of work and level of support they could offer. They were offering volunteering not 'therapy', so it had to be beneficial for both sides. The trial period gave them a chance to see if the arrangements worked.

Tasks for volunteers are decided at weekly team meetings. This involves all the staff in thinking about volunteers, and volunteer organisers aren't left trying to find tasks at the last minute. Work built up slowly, as Maggi's confidence and skills developed, and tasks were kept varied. As Ellie says, its more coaching than training. Volunteers have confidential supervision every couple of months where issues such as personal development can be discussed but there is constant informal supervision when volunteers are around. Ellie is always there in case there is a query or to keep an overview of how things are going on a day to day basis.

It was a learning experience for both the organisation and Maggi as Colette and Ellie found that Maggi's skills were far in excess of what they had assumed. Ellie was 'amazed how much Maggi could do. She had a wealth of experience', although they are careful to get the balance right between a busy office and not piling on too much work.

The key to their success is a flexible attitude to volunteers, being clear about what they can offer, and a commitment to volunteering by the whole staff team.

If you are interested in the Support & Advice Team contact them on +44 (0) 131 225 0630, or email marion.findlay@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.