Everyone at Volunteer Centre Sutton is thrilled that Sarita is moving into paid employment as an Online Assistant in Sainsbury’s. Her volunteer work has been instrumental in building the skills, confidence, and experience that helped her on this journey. This success highlights how volunteering can open doors to new opportunities.
Motivation & Background
Sarita was inspired to volunteer by a desire to support a positive cause and contribute to her community. “I first heard about Volunteer Centre Sutton from a friend and felt encouraged to get involved. I hoped to contribute my time and skills while learning from the team,” she says.
Experience & Impact
Sarita began her volunteering journey with Sutton Befrienders, supported by her coordinator Jenny, before joining the Benefit Form Filling team as an adviser. Through her volunteering, she developed strong communication and problem-solving skills, gained confidence, and built a sense of professional readiness.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarita shares, “Whenever I received an appreciation email from Benefit Form Filling, saying that my work benefited a client, it genuinely made me happy. I felt proud that I was doing meaningful work, and even though I wasn’t being paid, I felt truly satisfied.”
She adds, “A small amount of your time can be extremely valuable and meaningful for someone else.”
Rewards of Volunteering
For Sarita, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering was seeing the tangible impact of her efforts. Working alongside a supportive team, she helped residents complete benefit forms, enabling access to vital financial support and making a real difference in people’s lives.
Looking Ahead
Grateful for the experience and guidance she received, Sarita credits volunteering with helping her build confidence, skills, and a strong work ethic that will support her in future employment. She encourages others to get involved:
“Volunteering here offers valuable learning and a meaningful way to contribute to your community.”
Reflection & Farewell
Sarita describes her time at Volunteer Centre Sutton as “truly amazing and rewarding.” She highlights the supportive team environment and the satisfaction of seeing the difference her work made.
“I would definitely consider volunteering again because of the positive environment and meaningful work,” she concludes.
Get Involved
Volunteer Centre Sutton is always looking for enthusiastic local residents to make a difference in the community. Whether you can give a few hours a week or more, your time can help support older people, families, and local initiatives. Find out how you can volunteer and start your own journey at: vcsutton.org.uk/projects/
