Volunteering with Thames Reach: turning experience into support for others
12 December 2024
See how Nicholas developed valuable skills and knowledge while supporting others through his volunteering at Thames Reach
Nicholas has been a dedicated volunteer with Thames Reach for over seven years, contributing to various roles within the organisation. Currently, he’s working with the Southwark In-Work Progression Team, but he previously spent many years with our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service at the Employment Academy, helping individuals overcome barriers to work and community reintegration. Through his time with Thames Reach, Nicholas has become a valued part of a service that has evolved to meet the changing needs of the people it supports.
Reflecting on his role, Nicholas shared how his experience in IAG had transformed over the years. “When I first joined, it was a drop-in for local people… mainly Southwark and Lambeth residents, who were looking to maybe get involved in volunteering or training, or some wanted to return to employment.” With each person, Nicholas worked to assess their needs and develop a personalised plan, focusing on their unique goals.
Like many services, IAG had to adapt during the pandemic, transitioning to remote work. Nicholas explained, “It completely transformed the whole service and in a lot of ways improved it greatly because we had to be much more focused with how we worked with people.” This shift allowed them to help people across a wider range of boroughs, offering support remotely to people who had been relocated out of London due to rising housing costs.
Nicholas’s own background has been integral to his role. Having experienced homelessness and challenges with mental health, he empathises deeply with those he helps. “I felt that I had lived experience, that therefore I could come from some kind of position of being able to empathise with what some of the clients were going through because, you know, I’ve been through some of it myself.” His ability to relate to people’s struggles has been a powerful tool in offering meaningful support and guidance, showing others that a difficult past doesn’t define one’s future.
Beyond helping others, volunteering with Thames Reach has provided Nicholas with a wealth of valuable skills that he can carry into his future. Given the opportunity to study for an NVQ Level 2 in Information, Advice, and Guidance with St. Giles, located just down the road from the Employment Academy, he embraced the chance to enhance his knowledge. “I went on to do my Level 3 with them as well,” he shared. This qualification has not only deepened his understanding of the support systems available to those in need but also highlights how his experience at Thames Reach has been mutually beneficial.
Nicholas’s journey of using lived experience to support others is an inspiration to anyone considering volunteering. If you’re interested in making a difference like Nicholas, Thames Reach offers various roles where you can apply your unique skills and experiences to make a real impact on people’s lives. Click here to learn more.