| Name | Age |
Project |
|---|---|---|
 Ahmed Shazad |
20 |
Cheetham Hill Advice Centre, Manchester |
How did you get into Volunteering?
Having arrived in the UK aged sixteen, with little English, I was very keen to meet people and integrate as quickly as possible. I got a place in college and got invited to a café drop-in session about voluntary work with Save the Children. With some of the people I met at the café, we formed a Young Persons’ Management Group to help disadvantaged people like the homeless. Then I saw a local newspaper ad for the Cheetham Hill Advice Centre. It offered training and it meant helping people with backgrounds similar to mine. I was younger than the other applicants who all seemed very intelligent and well qualified. I thought I had no chance but they liked me and took me on.
What do you do?
 |
 |
Having been trained, I’m now a Community Advice Worker. Alongside the other part time volunteers and full time staff here, I give help to members of the local community on lots of issues such as housing, welfare, immigration issues, debt and so on. People come along with their problems, we listen and then try to provide solutions. This might involve making calls for them, helping to fill in forms or simply pointing them in the right direction for the specialist advice or services that they need. Anyone in our catchment area can come to us but most of our work is with those from disadvantaged groups who have difficulties with the problems everyday life can present.
Why do you do it?
All of us need help at times. Having lived in a refugee camp in Bangladesh for some years, I know how hard it can be when there’s nobody you can turn to. It’s amazing how much just one act of kindness can start to change your life for the better again. In my case, my voluntary work has also made me lots of new friends and brought me into contact with amazing people who have helped and encouraged me too.
How has the project helped you?
In many ways. The training has taught me how bureaucracy works and how to help people through it, including my own family. It’s improved my English and understanding of people and information. The training qualification has also helped me to get into college. Having come here with no English four years ago, I’m now studying A levels including Maths and Physics and I’ve gained a provisional place at University. I also recently won a Manchester Young Citizen of the Year Award. And best of all, the people at the Cheetham Hill centre are a great bunch.
What do you get out of volunteering?
It gives me a real buzz being in a strong enough position to help others. For the first time in my life, it has made me feel part of a community. I also love the fact that even though I’m not in my own country, I’ve been given the privilege of opportunity and the confidence to take it.
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