How one volunteer progressed to a paid role at Awen

“After working in HR for 20 years, I decided that I needed a change. Whilst considering my next steps, I decided volunteering at my local library (Bridgend) for two mornings a week would be meaningful way to spend my time. From my very first morning there I was hooked and quickly decided that I would love to work in the library sector. I have always enjoyed reading but what really inspired me was the wide range of community events the library offered. I started to really love being part of something which made a positive difference to the local community and found my volunteering sessions really rewarding.  

“Whilst volunteering, I developed a range of skills and strengths. This included gaining experience of library systems and processes, including the Dewey Decimal System, as well as a good understanding of how libraries are organised and run. I became more confident in communicating with a wide range of library users and tried to be proactive and use my initiative to identify where help was needed. 
 
“I also really enjoyed supporting the Bounce & Rhyme sessions. Having previously worked as a Training Officer, I was used to talking in front of groups but singing in public was something new for me! I developed my confidence in this area and loved engaging with the babies and parents. It was fun and really rewarding. Supporting weekly school visits was another activity I enjoyed. These developed my creativity and adaptability in keeping the children engaged, as well as a genuine interest in education and community involvement.  

“I was supported by the permanent Library Assistants and the Library Supervisor, who were all very friendly and encouraging. They were patient and kind when I asked questions, which helped me build confidence in my role. Early on they recognised my interest in community activities like Bounce & Rhyme sessions and school visits, and encouraged me to get more involved in these areas. While there was never any pressure to take on tasks I wasn’t comfortable with, they supported me in developing experience in the areas I enjoyed the most. 

“The achievement I am most proud of is progressing from a volunteer role, to a casual role and then to a permanent position as a Library Assistant within a relatively short period of time. I’m very grateful for the opportunities and support I received along the way which helped me build my confidence in the role. I am also pleased that, after spending 20 years in another career, I took the leap to try something new and luckily it worked out!  

“Being a casual employee allowed me to work across a number of libraries, which helped me learn more about library processes and meet lots of new colleagues. Since becoming a permanent member of staff, I’ve been able to take on more responsibility and feel more accountable for the day-to-day running of the library. I'm more confident supporting customers independently and contributing to the team. It has also allowed me to build stronger relationships with both colleagues and regular customers, which has made the role even more rewarding. 

“Everyone in Awen has been so welcoming and supportive, I couldn't have asked for more. I would encourage volunteers to make the most of every opportunity by getting involved in as many activities as possible. Be reliable and don't be afraid to ask questions, as this will help build your confidence. Try to be proactive and look for ways to help but most importantly just enjoy the experience. Building good relationships, being enthusiastic and genuinely interested in what you are doing, can make a real difference if you’re hoping to progress into a permanent position.

“Awen has been very supportive throughout my journey. Everyone has been so welcoming from the start, always happy to answer questions and guide me as I learned the ropes. I was given opportunities to get involved in different activities, which helped me build my confidence and skills. Staff also encouraged me to apply for roles, which gave me the confidence to take that next step. They recognised my interest in certain areas and supported me in developing those, which played a big part in helping me progress into a contracted role. 

“It's been such a positive and rewarding experience. Volunteering gave me the chance to learn, build confidence and understand the role before fully committing to it. It made the transition into employment feel like a really natural next step. I'm so grateful for the support and opportunities I've been given and feel very lucky to have been able to turn a volunteering role into a job I genuinely love.”

If you are interested in volunteering at Awen, visit our page here.