Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

Janet Obaid, Shared Space   - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Janet Obaid, Shared Space  

Janet Obaid - Essex, Westcliff-On-Sea

Janet is an asylum seeker who is trying hard to integrate into the local community. Having never volunteered before, she has discovered this as a rewarding way to get to know people, and contribute to her new home, for her and her family. 

Yes, working with this charity – it feels like home. Yes. The staff is very friendly and it’s very nice to work with them.

Volunteering to get involved in a new community

Interviewer

All right. Can you start by telling us your name, your age, and what group you’re representing today?

 

Janet Obaid

My name is Janet. I’m 24 years old, and I’m working with Shared Space.

 

Interviewer

Awesome, and what first inspired you to become involved with Shared Space?

 

Janet Obaid

Actually, I wanted to make myself busy, yes. And I want to help with community.

 

Interviewer

So how were you introduced to it?

 

Janet Obaid

Alex introduced.

 

Interviewer

Okay, cool. Was it through the church as well?

 

Janet Obaid

Yes, through the church.

Volunteering with family

Interviewer

Okay. So did you and Jojo start at the same time?

 

Janet Obaid

No, after three weeks of my brother, I started.

 

Interviewer

Okay. So how long have you been here?

 

Janet Obaid

Now it’s going to be two months.

 

Interviewer

Oh wow. Do you have any favorite memories with the group that you’d like to share?

 

Janet Obaid

Yes, working with this charity – it feels like home. Yes. The staff is very friendly and it’s very nice to work with them.

Volunteering in Charity Shops

Interviewer

And so what roles do you take on here?

 

Janet Obaid

I do price tagging. Yes.

 

Interviewer

Is that your main role here?

 

Janet Obaid

Yes.

 

Interviewer

Okay, cool. And do you enjoy it?

 

Janet Obaid

Yes, I’m enjoying it a lot.

 

Interviewer

Okay, cool. In your time here, have you seen any distinct changes to the group or has it mainly stayed consistent?

 

Janet Obaid

It’s mainly stayed consistent. Yes.

 

Interviewer

Awesome. And have done any other volunteering in your life?

 

Janet Obaid

Last time I did it in Southend Vineyard. It’s an outreach charity shop, it’s the same like this.

 

Interviewer

Oh, cool.

 

Janet Obaid

But I only did two months because that shop already closed now, so I just did for two months.

 

Interviewer

Oh, so this is your second charity shop?

 

Janet Obaid

Yes.

 

Interviewer

Oh, so what made you want to volunteer in another charity shop? What do you like about working in this environment?

 

Janet Obaid

Actually, the main point is this: that I want to make myself busy.

Volunteering to ‘keep busy’

Interviewer

Okay, awesome. As someone who’s volunteered for a little while, do you have any advice or anything you’d like to say to people who would like to start volunteering or are very fresh in the start of their volunteering journey?

 

Janet Obaid

I just say that if you are feeling free and you need some busy times, please join volunteer work to make yourself busy, make new friends, and help with community.

 

Interviewer

That’s awesome that you donate your extra time to volunteer, to keep yourself busy. That’s awesome. Those were all my questions. Is there anything else you’d like to add or to talk about?

 

Janet Obaid

No. Thank you.

 

Interviewer

Alright, perfect. Thank you so much.

 

Janet Obaid

Thank you.

About this story

Contributor: Janet Obaid
Recorded on: 24 July 2024
Role:
Setting: Community
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