Please introduce yourself

My name is Leo Thai, I volunteer at WHISH (Whitby Hidden Impairments Support and Help).  I’ve volunteered there for just over a year and my role is now a Qualified Youth Worker.

What attracted you to the organisation and volunteer role?

I was involved with the organisation initially as a parent.  Having experienced first hand the fantastic work that they do, and how much they have helped me and my family, it was impossible for me not to want to give something back.  It was a small start, a few hours here and there and I felt welcome from day one.

What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering?

I can only speak from experience.  That old saying of what you give in life, you get back – as I said, I wanted to give back by volunteering as a way of saying ‘thank you’ – and it changed my future.  What started as a few days volunteering has so far turned into new experiences, happy memories and brought me into contact with new friends and fantastic people.  It has also lead to paid employment in a new field of work that I love.  The skills I have learned are so varied and help me and others.  I really can’t believe how things have changed for me in just over a year through volunteer work.

My advice would be find something you believe in and feel passionate about, start your volunteering journey and see where it goes.  You won’t know until you start!

What was the best piece of advice given to you as a volunteer?

I can’t pick one piece as I get so much great advice from many different sources at WHISH.  As well as helping others, volunteering is also about learning and gaining experience – so if I need to know anything I just ask the right person.  If you are the right fit for the organisation you should get all the advice and support you need.

Finally, tell us something about yourself that your fellow volunteers would be surprised to know

I don’t know if it’s a surprise to anyone but I love writing.  My three favourite subjects are politics and political theory, Aston Villa FC and nostalgic humour, if that’s actually a thing. I could read a newspaper by the time I was 3 years old, but still left school with no formal qualifications.