Since supporting administration in the ecdp office, Hannah has found a full time job, building on the skills she gained. She is now looking towards supporting other people to build their confidence and get back into work. 

“I first phoned ecdp insight in 2010, having found some information on the internet about mentoring. Andrew, my insight development coordinator came out to meet me and went through some different options of things I could do.

I had been out of work a while and had become quite isolated, so I wanted to increase my social network and get out the house. I thought work experience with ecdp would help me gain work skills and give my life some structure. 

I worked with Karen, in ecdp enterprise. I did general admin work, such as data entry, putting together packs of information and filing. I enjoyed doing something useful and productive and the working in the office environment. Everyone was really friendly.

Working at ecdp gave me more confidence in myself, and better organisation skills. After working with ecdp, I started looking for work. 

I started my new job at the end of April 2011. I work as a Customer Service Assistant at William Hill. My job involves serving customers and translating bets. I love working with the customers and my colleagues - we have a good laugh. 

I feel I am learning a lot and doing very well at my job, my manager said I am ahead of where I should, as I am still going through my training. I am building on the skills I picked up at ecdp.”

Marilyn has been a volunteer for ecdp insight for many years, here she tells her story, about why she started volunteering and what she feels she has achieved:

I was made redundant three years ago and finding it hard to find a job, I started to lose my own self confidence. Volunteering for ecdp has increased this and made me realise how hard it is for disabled people to function in society. The training and support I have received is invaluable and has enabled me to help someone with major difficulties to achieve goals and hopefully lead a better life

Before joining ecdp insight I worked for an insurance company but I think I’ve always wanted to do some sort of voluntary work, to work with people, to help people – I think I’ve always had that ambition, really. When I was made redundant, obviously money was quite an issue, but it made it a difference and as jobs are not easy to come by I thought of volunteering, to give me something to do and perhaps do what I’ve always wanted to do really, do something with people and feel that I’m putting a bit more back into society rather than just making money for people. It’s always been there really but because of financial issues, it’s not always easy to do that – I have my own children and grandchildren and  I suppose I’ve always helped people. I have my granddaughter two days a week, there’s not always the time. I wanted to feel that I’d done some good - that I’d helped in some way.

I have gained more self confidence – I think I’m more able to make the phone calls or ask questions – I needed to do that and I don’t think I would have been able to do that without voluntary work, so it’s given me more confidence in myself so that I can do these things and that people want me to do it, really - and there are people out there that really need you. After your family have grown up it’s nice to know that your help is still appreciated.

Just to help the person I am supporting to get out and enjoy her life motivates me. As much as I enjoy the things that I do, she has the disability and there is a life out there for her and hopefully I can support her to get on the right pathways.

I have moved forward since working with ecdp insight. I don’t worry about things so much now, I let things go over my head, there are far more who are worse off than us. I know also in my family life, I’m able to push them a little bit more than I would have done.

Volunteering has broadened my outlook on life. My daughter had just finished university and she wanted to do some voluntary work and she has done it in South Africa – I encouraged her to do that, I told her ‘you’ve nothing to lose, you will have a brilliant time’ – and she did! I don’t think I would have encouraged her quite as much had I not been involved in voluntary work myself. I know that her volunteering has given her the confidence – she is now going to go into teaching. It really helped her, so you do get a lot out of volunteering

I think I’d like to do a little bit more if I have the time. The person I support at the moment, I probably don’t have to encourage her as much as I had to before. She is at the stage where she is happy to do things now; we look for more things to do. She is more independent, we’re going to go to WI and the ‘knit and natter’ event. I actually went along to the voluntary centre and found so much information and I was surprised at how many voluntary and social groups there are out there.

I chose to work with ecdp because I like the group; everyone is very friendly and encouraging. You only have to ask – they’re a nice bunch. They are very helpful and appreciate what you do. The training is good too!

A haunting sunrise veiled in purple mist.

The smoke twists

over the lake’s limpid rush-fringed face.

Frost traces

embroidery on the morning fresh grass.

Does a last

owl hoot or bat squeak to announce the day’s

 break away

from night, or is it imagination?

Equation

of dusk and dawn is evenly balanced

and answered

in the sun climbing to the zenith

and beneath

the oak’s shade the ponies in the paddock

flick fetlocks

with tails to desist the persistent flies.

Heron cries

and flaps across the lake to its nest.

Childhood’s best

memories are preserved and crystallised:

a Cotswold sunrise.

Richard McKane

This poem taken from Richard’s recent book ‘Out of the Cold Blue Poems 1967-1999’ (Hearing Eye, London) and also featured in ecdp magazine Winter 2011

Monica and Russell Butcher have been volunteering with ecdp for many years. Here, they talk about their experience:

We first started volunteering with ecdp because we wanted to be involved with an organisation that is the voice of disabled people throughout Essex and to make a difference to our local and wider communities.

We volunteer to represent other disabled people and ecdp in Tendring, and we are very proud to represent ecdp in the community and promote the work ecdp does, highlighting the issues in the community and voicing these to people.

Heather has been volunteering with ecdp since March 2011. We caught up with her to talk about why she volunteers for us and what she hopes to achieve. 

“I wanted to do something and learn to do new things. I also wanted to be a voice for people with learning disabilities. People need to have a loud voice to be heard and this makes me feel useful.

I did some office work, which was good as I would like to get an office job in the future and also gives me an opportunity to meet new people. I attended a meeting about the changes in the benefits for disabled people. I think people were impressed with what I had to say. What we have to say will go to government.

Naomi (my adult carer) found information about ecdp for me but when I looked through your material I liked the fact that you are for all disabled people. Other groups I have been involved in with before categorise you, but ecdp help all disabled people.

Since volunteering for ecdp I feel more confident it’s got a lot better and have met new people.”