Celebrating National Volunteer Week
Our Volunteer Spotlight Celebrating National Volunteer Week!
Meet Lucy our amazing Empower Volunteer
Tell us a little bit about yourself
??I am 21 years old.
??I went to Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
??I am currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland (UQ). I am in my second year. I am also the Treasurer for the Occupational Therapy Students Association (OTSA) at UQ.
??I work part-time at a Saddlery (horse retail store).
??I volunteer regularly at Empower Autism. But have also recently volunteered at Foodbank, as well as the Source Kids Disability Expo, MS Moonlight Walk and Sycamore School last year.
??My hobbies include socialising with friends, riding my horse, playing with my dog, and going on adventures.
Tell us a little bit about your family:
??I have two brothers – one older and one younger. I am the middle child!
??I have a labradoodle called Molly and a thoroughbred called Cherokee.
Tell us some fun facts about yourself:
??What is your favourite ice cream flavour? Anything chocolate.
??What is your dream vacation destination? Europe.
??What is your favourite movie or TV show? Love a good crime or medical drama.
In what ways do you volunteer For Empower
??Facilitated the Introductory Life Skills Program in early 2021 across 7 weeks.??
??Currently facilitate at the Weekly Youth Group in Capalaba – done so for about 1 year.
Why is it important to you to volunteer at our Empower?
??To give back to the community and volunteer my time.
??To gain real-world experience outside of the University classroom.
??To learn and personally develop. To become a better person because of these experiences.
??To create an accepting and comfortable space for those who need it.
??To meet new people - build relationships with and understand each participant holistically.
Tell us about a time that was especially meaningful for you as a volunteer at Empower
??Seeing each participant blossom in their own way and light up when they engage in a certain activity that is particularly meaningful for them. Such as one participant who loves Lego and Minecraft thriving when we went to the Lego café by building Lego at double the speed of what I could do! Plus using their expertise to help me finish off building my Lego set. And another example evident when a participant got fully involved with Dungeons & Dragons, showing never-seen-before excitement and engagement whilst playing the game so passionately. It’s so great to recognise their individual strengths and see them so enthusiastic about something.
How have those you support at Empower responded?
??I would say that they have responded quite positively. We have been able to create a safe and friendly environment for the participants, seen in their increased engagement across the weeks, possibly due to having the predictability of what we will be doing prior to the night, the consistency of the same facilitators each week, being non-judgemental, and the familiarity of regular participants. By providing a more relaxing social setting, they are more likely to feel comfortable enough to form friendships with the other participants and to ultimately have fun.
How has volunteering at Empower had an impact on you?
??It has been a very rewarding experience so far. These experiences have allowed me to challenge my own misunderstandings, expand on my knowledge – particularly as an OT student, and become more willing to try new things. Ultimately allowing me to grow as a person.
What have you learned about yourself and/or about others through volunteering at Empower?
??I have learned that treating people with the kindness and respect they deserve is core to building connections with anyone. I have also realised that, despite just learning about Autism in the classroom, the application of my knowledge is best paired with meeting people with lived experience, solidifying that Autism is a wide spectrum and not one person presents the same/‘fits into the same box’. Everyone is their own person and Autism is apart of their identity.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering at Empower?
??I guess I have been surprised about how rewarding it has been and how much I would get out of it – I have learnt so much and met some incredible people. I also didn’t realise the positive impact of volunteering my own time could have on the participants and gratitude of the Empower Autism staff.
If you could encourage someone else to volunteer at Empower, what would you say?
??Volunteering just a small amount of your time each week is a great way to enrich your life with positive experiences by helping others to find their own supportive community and to help give back to a wonderful business.