For Mary, becoming part of BLOT has meant far more than giving a few hours of her time. It has given her something to look forward to, a place where she feels valued and an opportunity to discover just how much she has to offer.
After discovering BLOT through its community work, Mary began getting involved and eventually became a volunteer at our Community Hub in Bugle. What started as an opportunity to help has grown into something much more meaningful.
Through volunteering, Mary has become an important part of the Hub’s day-to-day life. She helps create the welcoming environment that makes BLOT special, supporting the running of the space and contributing to the wider community.
Along the way, she has developed new skills, taken on responsibilities and grown in confidence. By investing time in her development and recognising the contribution she makes, BLOT has helped Mary discover strengths and abilities she had not previously recognised in herself.
But when Mary talks about what BLOT means to her, it is not the practical skills that stand out most. It is the feeling of having somewhere to belong. She has described how volunteering has given her something to get up for in the morning, a sense of purpose and the knowledge that her contribution genuinely matters.
“Volunteering at BLOT has given me something to get up for in the morning. I've gained confidence, learned new things and, most importantly, I feel valued and that I belong.”
Mary
Today, Mary is not simply someone who benefits from BLOT’s work. She is one of the people making that work possible for others. Her journey reminds us that community support is not always about what people receive. Sometimes its greatest impact comes from recognising what people have to give.
Shared with Mary's consent.
Filed under:
Impact Stories
