LOUISE STEWART’S STORY

Louise started going to Homestart 6 years ago as a lone parent with two young children (4 and 20 months). One day she heard that Fife Women’s Network was looking for a part-time cleaner and so she took on the job. This was her first introduction into the office place and it intrigued her. She also helped out with general office duties and found she enjoyed the work and decided to make a career of it.

Louise realised that she didn’t have the qualifications to work in an office so she decided to do something about it. She completed an NC Admin course at college, followed by HNC Admin and Information Management, both on a part time basis.

It was while Louise was attending college that she decided to volunteer to get more experience and prepare for her future. She’d noticed that employers were looking not only for qualifications but also essential practical experience. Louise didn’t have that relevant experience but she knew she could get it through volunteering. She was thinking ahead to when she finished her courses and wanted to be in the best position possible to apply for jobs.

Louise has been volunteering in an admin role at Neat Feet Complementary Health Clinic in Kirkcaldy for the past 18 months gaining practical experience, confidence in dealing with people, learning new skills and increasing her own abilities. She’s been able to use the knowledge she gained at college directly in her workplace and vice-versa.

Louise now has valuable experience in setting up and maintaining office systems
and databases as well experience in a multitude of other general clerical duties. She is now producing the Neat Feet newsletter and assists in thinking about ways to attract more customers into the clinic, thereby helping to expand the business.

Neat Feet is using more volunteers and students and Louise has been training the new recruits up and overseeing their work. Volunteering has fuelled Louise’s ambitions as well as her confidence and she now plans to do a Diploma in Management in August. She’s working towards her Managerial Effectiveness at the moment.

Louise is now working with Fife Council Social Work Service and continues to volunteer.

Louise says: “I gained loads of experience and confidence through volunteering and am enjoying my new job. Volunteering helped me get into paid work, without the experience, I would not be where I am now. Friends wonder how I managed to do it, they laughed at first when I told them I was volunteering - working for nothing as they saw it - but now they’re impressed. I would definitely recommend volunteering to anyone, it’s a great route to employment – it worked for me!”