This Volunteers Week (1-7 June 2020), we would like to recognise all exemplary individuals and local businesses who are stepping up to provide food, support and hope to hundreds of formerly homeless YMCA residents who we house across the region.
Thank you YMCA Housing volunteers
A special shout out goes to our wonderful volunteer Lucy Williamson, who has been doing a sterling job supporting our Building Better Opportunities (BBO) team and formerly homeless residents with complex needs this year.
Gillian Costello, Community and Social Work Manager at Nottinghamshire YMCA, shared praise for Lucy’s input and YMCA journey, saying: “Since joining our YMCA team before Christmas, Lucy has built an honest and open working relationship with the residents we are supporting and has worked directly with a number of residents with tasks.
“This often includes applying for welfare benefits that they were entitled to receive and not claiming, viewing a new home, arranging their move and helping them access furniture and household equipment.
“All the residents Lucy has supported are really positive about her engagement with them, and feel that they achieved some of their key life goals with her guidance. She is interested in getting into support work and wanted to develop her skills so came to volunteer with us.”
‘A truly great support’
Due to social distancing restrictions, Lucy has unfortunately not be able to physically come into the office since lockdown, but even a national pandemic has not quashed her charitable spirit!
“Even during the lockdown, Lucy has been doing lots of arranging and organising of food donations for us to pick up on our travels to ensure our residents have access to wholesome meals during the crisis,” Gillian explained.
“She has been a truly great support, even when not actually officially volunteering, so I definitely think she should have a shout out!”
A big thank you to everyone who continues to support our charity’s vulnerable members through this challenging time – you are the reason why we can all get through this together.
#VolunteersWeek #COVIDHeroes