Anna's story - Volunteering to employment

Anna, a Project Officer at High Wycombe-based RSASS (Rape and Sexual Assault Support Service) has shared her story into volunteering and how becoming a volunteer led to her current role within the charity.

At a time when Anna wasn't ready to return to paid employment due to personal circumstances, she still wanted to use her skills, contribute to her community and regain a sense of purpose. This is where Anna discovered an administration volunteer opportunity within RSASS.

With a background in healthcare and education administration, the role felt like the perfect fit and offered the flexibility she needed while taking the next step back into the workplace.

Today, Anna is a Projects Officer at RSASS, having progressed from volunteer to employee, a journey she says all began with that first step into volunteering.

What made you decide to start volunteering?

Once Anna had found the opportunity and read through the role, Anna felt she had found the perfect role for her. 

On finding the role, Anna said: "I felt I had a lot to give, but I wasn't ready to commit to paid work. Volunteering felt like the right balance because it's flexible and allows you to contribute what you can, when you can."

I knew this was a role I could step into with confidence, as it felt like a really good match for my skills."

What did your volunteering role involve? 

Anna initially supported RSASS by researching contacts and creating contact lists, allowing her to use her existing skills from day one. "It was a great way to ease myself back into a working environment without any pressure."

As her confidence grew, so did her role. She began representing the charity at events, building new relationships and raising awareness of the support RSASS provides. The experience also allowed her to draw on previous roles and develop new skills along the way.

After around a year of volunteering, Anna successfully secured a paid role as Projects Officer with RSASS. She continues to volunteer at events for RSASS, alongside her job.

What difference did volunteering make for you? 

For Anna, volunteering offered much more than valuable experience.

"It gave me a sense of purpose and structure during a time when everything felt quite uncertain. I was able to make a meaningful contribution while still giving myself the space I needed."

Through volunteering, she also discovered the breadth of Buckinghamshire's voluntary sector and the incredible work taking place across local communities.

"I've learned so much. There are so many organisations supporting people in different ways that I wasn't aware of before. I've been lucky to be part of something so important, meet amazing people and become part of a fantastic team."

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

If you're thinking about volunteering but aren't quite ready to return to paid work, Anna encourages you to take the first step:

"Volunteering is a brilliant option if you still want to contribute and make a difference but need flexibility. It reminds you that you have valuable skills to offer, gives you the opportunity to meet new people and opens the door to learning new things. You never know where it might lead."

Volunteering is for everyone

Anna's story highlights the impact volunteering can have, not only for individuals but also for the organisations they support. By matching local people with opportunities that reflect their skills, interests and availability, Volunteer Bucks helps people build confidence, gain experience and make a meaningful contribution to their communities, while helping charities find the volunteers they need to thrive.

Visit www.volunteerbucks.org.uk to register and start your volunteering journey.