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Our Impact
Note: These impact statistics reflect data up to the end of 2024, based on our report completed in late 2024.
Figures continue to grow as our work progresses.
How we've helped
Lifestyle changes improving health and wellness
Since leaving work, I had put on four stone, yet I generally considered my health and fitness okay, although I did have a pacemaker following heart complications as well as osteoarthritis.
Ukraine to UK – how volunteering helped
I had been removed to the UK from Ukraine because of the war. I felt confused and joined the Volunteering Plus project to gain experience and help me to get a job.
Hands-on activities boost confidence
It was really quiet having left college and not going to school, I felt like I didn’t have anywhere to be. I helped my mom, but I wanted to do my own thing too.
Volunteer experience builds young persons confidence
I am doing work experience for a school. When I joined Volunteering Plus, I was scared and anxious. I wanted to try working with older people and to gain experience and learn new skills but I needed extra support and reminders because of my autism to help direct me.
Getting involved in the community
I had not long been in the UK, finally coming over from Nigeria to join my wife. I didn’t really know anyone and was/am in the process of finding meaningful opportunities and friends to connect with.
New friends for mom with sight loss
I have no vision at all, so I was very isolated and I was feeling low and down. I’m a single mom with 6 children, so doing something for myself was important to me.
Volunteering to build skills
I love helping the elderly, and its in line with my career choice as I want to be a Mental Health Nurse. I was nervous when I joined, because it was my first time working with people I didn’t know.
Paul’s story
Paul received support from our Independent Advocate as he navigated ongoing care proceedings to see if his daughter could be safely returned to his care.
Putting ESOL learning into practice
I’m from Bangladesh. I studied English in my own country, but it was very different from here, so my confidence dropped, and I got extremely nervous.
Battling cancer and domestic abuse
I am a single parent who is undergoing treatment for cancer. After my diagnosis, I began facing domestic abuse which led to them leaving the family home.
From volunteering into paid employment
I have always been a person who thrives off helping others and being able to share my own skills with others. Through WDH Sandwell, I have been receiving support from the Kuumba team in developing my job ready skills and I now have a job!
Changing unhealthy drinking habits
I have mild learning difficulties and issues with my leg following an accident 20+ years ago. I was drinking every single day. I really wanted to cut down and even consider stopping for good. I don’t want to be someone who is defined by my disabilities and difficulties.
Former NHS Worker volunteers in local charity
Pre COVID I worked in HR in the NHS, and after COVID I worked within the physio department, beginning to move into and support more in the clinical care side of things.
Moving on after divorce
After separating from his second wife, Paul was experiencing severe anxiety and depression and was having suicidal thoughts.
Volunteering as a Digital Champion
When I joined the project, I was unemployed, with an I.T. background with outdated qualifications. At the time I was feeling fine, but occasionally would feel lonely as well.
Help with ill-health and time off work
I’ve suffered with anaemia for 20 years, but in April 2022, I was taken off my iron supplements by my GP as recent blood tests had come back with more positive results. When I came off the supplements, things began to change.
A new home for a friendship group
When I first came here it was with all my friends from another centre that shut down. We used to hang out, talk and watch telly, and it was a safe space for us.
Community centre supporting relocated family
I am 45 years old, a single mother of three beautiful children. Life has not been easy for us, especially with my limited English skills. I remember the first few months in this new country. My children were trying to adjust to their new schools while I juggled multiple cleaning jobs to make ends meet.
Living after loss and looking forward
Losing my wife, of 65 years, done me in. I felt very low, and struggled with depression and knew that I needed to be around people. I’d stopped going out, even to get my shopping.
Breaking free from Domestic Violence and Abuse
Michelle felt totally stuck in a relationship with someone who was controlling her.
Emma’s* story
Emma* was referred to the PAGE project for ‘Independent Advocacy Support’. They believed it would be beneficial for her as it would be someone that she could build a trusting relationship with and would support her with meetings and Court Hearing’s.
Recovering from physical and emotional trauma
I have had great support from Ideal for All. I was not under no pressure to do anything. I have choices I can make now and decide for myself. People are coming back into my life.
Boosting motivation to improve mental health
I was doubting myself as I found myself lacking motivation to do my daily routine that I had been doing for years. Even tasks I had been doing my whole life like cooking.
Facing eviction as a single parent
I was served a Section 21 eviction notice and was I was feeling very stressed and found it hard to have a positive outlook on my situation. I am a single parent to a child with additional needs
Forging friendships through fitness
When we first met, I was unhealthy physically and nutritionally. I was experiencing low self-esteem and felt isolated. My mood was low, and I felt lethargic and unhealthy.
Frank finds new friends
I’m Frank and I’m 90 years old. I find getting old really sad – one day you have a fulfilled life and gradually your world gets smaller and smaller, so do the people in it. So you feel unconfident, little tasks become big tasks. The things you used to do like read, take part in your hobbies become hard to do.
Supporting mom with an under 1
Samerina had a 6-month-old baby who wasn’t sleeping. She was suffering with some mental health issues and was socially isolated and struggled to leave the house.
From homelessness to stability
I was homeless and struggling with substance misuse when I approached European Welfare Association (EWA) services at YMCA. I was depressed and didn’t see the way out of the situation I found myself in. I needed a hot drink and some food, and I wanted to get off the streets and get to work.
Community connection through creative crafting
Before I came to Ileys Community Association I felt overwhelmed, lonely, and disconnected from my surroundings. I needed to get out of the house
Getting active to boost wellbeing
I joined the WDH Sandwell service to socialise, be active, make new friends, and gain more independence. Break thru has helped me to become more active without having to go to the Gym, and I have learnt fitness techniques I can do at home.
Help with housing and health
I was in a tough spot. I’m living in a hotel, feeling really down and having health problems. My child has special needs, ADHD, and a learning disability.
Rebuilding self-belief after bullying
Aisha was bullied and exploited by a friend (colleague at work) which caused her to lose confidence and lowered her trust in people “all round”.
Ukrainian mom re-builds emotional strength
I am a Ukrainian war victim. I left my home country to save the lives of my three children and immigrated to the United Kingdom under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. I was terrified, worried, and lonely without family or friends.
Tackling anxiety and alcohol concerns
I was in a dark place. I felt alone and like I barely had anyone to talk to. I generally feel okay a lot of the time, but when I get really down and lonely, I start to drink.
Financial struggles during cancer treatment
I am a carer for my wife and was also working when I was diagnosed with cancer. Due to my diagnosis and necessary treatment I had to stop working. As a result my financial situation worsened significantly just in a few days.
Skills support helping to fight depression
I found myself struggling to express my emotions while on maternity leave and I knew I needed to reach out for support to better my skills – I was experiencing depression and anxiety and I refused to let this control my life.
Claire’s story
Claire was a victim of domestic violence and as a result has suffered a life changing condition resulting in her no longer having the same capacity to take care of herself and her family in the way she used to. This has led to the children being removed from her care temporarily.
Support for lone-parent experiencing abuse
I’ve recently become a single parent and have been feeling stressed and under pressure being a lone-parent. It took courage to disclose my history of being a victim of domestic violence.
Weekly walks providing benefits
Prior to coming on the wellbeing walks I was feeling lonely as I had lost my husband only recently. I didn’t have people to speak to.
Coping with the loss of a loved one
Following devastating news of my partner’s death, I think I was at the brink of a complete mental breakdown. I didn’t know where to turn for help; I didn’t know what to tell my kids; how to cope with everything myself.
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