b'30 Member News July 2022SupportVolunteers contribute over 1,350 hoursin support ofFoothold Foothold volunteer, RebecaFor this years VolunteersIn 2020-21 alone, volunteers contributed Week (1-7 June), Footholdover 1,350 hoursto aid the charitys work, and provide essential assistanceOne of the best things about took the opportunity toto those in need. Through givingvolunteering for Foothold look at the vital role theirup their time and skills in service of volunteers play in supportingothers, these volunteers have helpedis that they match roles to people get their independence back,volunteers skillsets. This allows the engineering community. improve their mental health andvolunteers to hone their skills When lifelong engineer Stuart sufferedtake more control over their lives. and play to their strengths, a life-changing breakdown and shutWith more people than ever beforewhich makes for a brilliant himself off from everything around him,accessing Footholds services in the same Foothold volunteer, Tania, was there toyear, the support that volunteers provideopportunity to develop yourself offer him a supportive shoulder to lean on. for the charity has never been so important. and broaden your prospects.By brightening Stuarts day through simple conversations over the phone Footholds volunteers have the sometimes even just about what Stuartopportunity to develop theirFoothold volunteer, Rebeca. had watched on TV that weeksheskills and build their professional helped Stuart regain his confidence,network through a wide varietyAfter Foothold supported Rebeca and reconnect with the outside world. of essential roles, including: following the birth of her first child L ocal Representatives: raiseand the ending of her marriage, awareness of Footholdsshe felt she couldnt pass up the activities within their local area opportunity to give something back The best thing about beingService Developmentby becoming a Foothold volunteer.a volunteer telephoneCommittee Members: helpWith experience in bookkeeping, befriender for Foothold isensure Footholds support isRebeca took on the role of assisting relevant, helpful and in the bestFoothold community members who were knowing that just by makinginterests of those who need it struggling with limitations or disabilities time for someone, you really Support volunteers: offerto complete key administrative tasks, can change their life. emotional and practical assistancesuch as filling in important forms and to vulnerable community membersstaying on top of essential paperwork.Foothold Ambassadors: spreadThis enabled her to put her skills into Foothold volunteer, Tania.the word about Footholds workpractice, whilst supporting others within the engineering community to manage their lives and get some This is just one of the ways Footholdsof their independence back.incredible volunteers make a real difference to engineers and their families. If youre interested in becoming a Foothold volunteer and giving up your time to support the engineering community, find out more about the roles available by visiting: myfoothold.org/get-involved/volunteering'