I moved to Norwich last year to go to rehab and now live in a move-on house that is supported by that same rehab. I volunteer with various organisations, the Nourish project being one of these.
I have been volunteering with Nourish regularly since it started in April this year.
I wanted to get involved because being of service to others is a key part of my own recovery. I was also looking to do more meaningful things with my time and working with our clients offers just that. Having been homeless myself and in use of similar types of services I really wanted to give back and I felt that my own lived experience would make me helpful to those in a similar situation.
I love working at Nourish as all the volunteers are so supportive of each other and if I cover a shift I know that I will still slot in easily even if it's not my regular co-workers.
We have quite a mixed bag in terms of people’s backgrounds, jobs etc. and this makes it interesting getting to know people. Even volunteers who don’t really have any personal experience with our clients’ circumstances are open minded and willing to learn, and this really is a credit to them. We all enjoy what we do and get so much from it.
It's really nice being able to sit down and get to know our clients which is a new concept from my own experiences and I think this is what makes Nourish stand out. We're not just there to serve people food but we can offer connection and warmth to those who may be lacking that in their life.
For some of our clients, coming to Nourish is their only conversation of the day. We are all human beings and just want to feel that we matter in the eyes of another. I find it so rewarding knowing that I can offer just that little bit of kindness that may lift them, even if only very slightly.
Nourish is commissioned by Norwich City Council and run by local social enterprise, The Feed.
