KLAIR’S STORY

Klair has volunteered at the Centre for the past five years teaching English. She currently teaches an informal English language class, for mums whose children can play in the safety of the centre at the same time.

By Klair, volunteer

Above: Klair giving an English lesson. Photo: Fergus Burnett Photography

“My name is Klair and I was working as a chef and was interested in becoming a teacher. And now my volunteering at the Cardinal Hume Centre has led to me teaching at Medway Council as a job.

“I volunteer because both my parents were very giving people and giving has stuck with me. Sometimes there’s no reason, it’s just a case of, as my mum would say, ‘stepping out in faith’.

“Volunteering has been good for me. I wanted a job teaching for a while, but until recently I worked as a cook. Volunteering kept my English teaching skills up-to-date, and helped me meet many different learners so I learnt flexibility to accommodate whatever is needed.

“I really admire the people that I teach here. They come from all walks of life – I’ve had a number of learners who are homeless. For people to come in and to want to further themselves even though they haven’t got a stable place, for me that is really admirable.

“My experience as a volunteer at the Cardinal Hume Centre has boosted my confidence. If the Centre think you’re capable of a particular role they will ask you. For example, the Centre asked me to speak at the AGM in front of everyone. And they asked if I could sit in on an interview for a particularly senior role at the Centre. I thought that was really astonishing. Before I would never dream that an organisation would invite a volunteer to sit on a panel and have his or her views heard. It made me think I was being considered beyond the volunteering. It’s made me feel valuable.

“Volunteering is about all the things that come with it. It opens up your eyes to a different world both amongst the staff and the clients you’re volunteering with.

“When you see that you help somebody it’s a reward that you can’t really put into words. It’s a satisfying feeling. More than anything I will go home and think I’ve done a good deed for the day, then I’m happy.”

Join our amazing volunteer team helping families overcome poverty and the threat of homelessness. Visit cardinalhumecentre.org.

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