Date published: 02 June 2021 by Amber Hemming

A Bristol volunteer for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, is calling on more volunteers to come forward and help support families with a seriously ill child, to mark Volunteers' Week which runs from 1-7 June.

Rachel has volunteered for Rainbow Trust for the past year and started during the pandemic. After working at the charity as a Family Support Worker, she chose to volunteer for Rainbow Trust’s Family Care Project which runs throughout the South West as she was still so engaged with the organisation. She is now calling on other Bristol residents to join her and volunteer to help families with a life-threatened or terminally ill child.

Rachel said, “I used to work as a Family Support Worker for Rainbow Trust and didn't want to leave completely when I left that role, so I decided to volunteer. Since then, I have been supporting brothers and sisters of ill children who can sometimes struggle with their situation.

“From working at the charity, I have experienced first-hand how important Rainbow Trust’s care is to families going through very difficult times by offering practical and emotional support for the whole family.

“The best thing about my role is being able to give something back and being there to offer support to families when they need it. There isn’t a worst part of my role, but I just wish I could do more to help the families. This past year, because of the pandemic, I’ve learnt to adapt my support from face-to-face to virtual support, so I’ve still been able to volunteer even if I couldn’t visit a family in person.

“I would urge anyone considering volunteering to just do it! Being able to be there for a family and offer support, no matter how big or small, makes it so rewarding and can mean so much to a family who are in such a tough situation.”

Alex Green, Rainbow Trust Volunteer Project Manager says, “Volunteers Week is an opportunity for Rainbow Trust to really celebrate our incredible volunteers and say a massive thank you to them for their continued help and dedication. Our Family Care Project volunteers, like Rachel, have helped us continue to reach families who have had to deal with the immense pressure and stress of the pandemic on top of coping with their child’s illness. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved and join Rachel and our team of incredible volunteers.”

To find out more about joining Rainbow Trust’s Family Care Project and volunteering with families who have a seriously ill child, contact Alex Green at [email protected]. For more information about Rainbow Trust visit rainbowtrust.org.uk