Date published: 11 December 2024 by Sophie Wichman

Read how Abi, Deputy Family Support Manager in the Essex Care team, changed her career path by first volunteering with Rainbow Trust.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

"My name is Abi and I’m 45 years old. After gaining my qualification in childhood studies I worked with children and families as a private nanny. I also had a passion for travel and spent years both travelling and working in several countries until I met my future husband who eventually coaxed me out of London and I put my backpack into retirement (for now!)."

Why did you decide to volunteer with Rainbow Trust?

"Once I moved to Essex, I knew that I wanted to do something different. I wanted to have a new challenge but continue to work with children and families. After reading about the work that Rainbow Trust and Family Support Workers do, I thought that it sounded a great fit for me and what I was looking for as a potential career change.

"I chose to take on a paid job for four days a week which would allow me to commit to one day a week volunteering at Rainbow Trust with the Essex Care team who were so welcoming."

What were you looking to gain as someone looking to make a career change, and did you get what you hoped for?

"It was quite daunting when considering a career change but being able to volunteer gave me the opportunity to gain hands on experience as well as get to know the role on a deeper level and whether the career change was right for me.

"Volunteering as an independent Family Support Volunteer was everything I had hoped for and more. I spent a year as a volunteer then successfully applied for a paid role within the team. Volunteering gave me the confidence and the experience to apply for the role."

Can you explain what your role typically involves? What does a ‘typical’ volunteering session look like?

"Each volunteering session was unique from playing with children in the family home; supporting a child going through cancer treatment; being that special someone to siblings who are sometimes overlooked; helping to minimise stress for families by driving them to hospital appointments; and spending time with colleagues reflecting with, learning from and supporting each other."

What’s the best thing about your volunteering? Has it helped you in your career plans?

"The best thing about volunteering for me was that I achieved what I wanted to achieve, which was to change my career. During my eight years as a Family Support Worker, I have developed skills and knowledge which has led me to progressing to Deputy Family Support Manager in the Essex Care team."

What advice would you give to someone looking to make a career change? Would you recommend volunteering as an option to help with making the change?

"I would highly recommend it to anyone considering a career change, or if you just have some free time, would like to give back, meet new people and take on new challenges, then please considerer volunteering. You never know what it might lead to."