Volunteering puts Kirstie on course

Monday, August 17, 2009

FACED with the prospect of long-term unemployment, Kirstie Logan, 23, from Waltham, turned to volunteering to occupy her time – and she hasn't looked back.

After graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, she returned to her family home in North East Lincolnshire to search for work.



With no suitable jobs available, Kirstie signed up for a three-month voluntary placement as editor of CPO Media's Voxx magazine, which gave her the confidence to go on to grab her dream job.

She said: "I loved my time at Voxx and it was really like doing the career I wanted but without getting paid.
"It enabled me to meet so many people in the area, and when a job vacancy arose which really suited me, I was encouraged to apply for it."

Kirstie secured a job as administrator for North East Lincolnshire Local Involvement Network (LINk) – the local branch of a Government-run initiative which assesses public perception of health and social care services throughout the country.

Now based at Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL), on Town Hall Street, Grimsby, Kirstie works with the community to uncover problems in health services and makes recommendations about how the issues can be fixed.

She said: "I really enjoy it, and the great thing is that because we are a Government body, the agencies have to listen to us and they have to make the changes which the public think are needed.

"I work with five teams of volunteers who get public opinions on different sectors, such as mental health and primary health care."

And Kirstie would encourage anybody who is out of work to consider volunteering.
She said: "There is a great atmosphere when you are volunteering because everybody has chosen to be there. 


"It really helps you to get the most out of your day if you like the people you're working with.  It gets you out of the house and keeps you active as well as giving you news skills that you wouldn't get elsewhere.

"As in my case, it also helps you to meet people and can lead to full or part-time work.  I've seen so many people who start as volunteers with a company and end up as members of staff."

For voluntary vacancies visit www.vanel.org.uk, pop in to 14 Town Hall Street, Grimsby, or call (01472) 231123

For details of North East Lincolnshire Local Involvement Network visit www.nellink.org.uk or call (01472) 315437.