I feel I have been able to Grow and Challenge myself to Reach my Full Potential

“My name is Angela.  I care for my son who has Autism, ADHD and Tourette's.

I was introduced to Lanarkshire Carers by my friend about 8 years ago. Although I didn’t use any services at that time, I  wanted to remain linked in as I valued what Lanarkshire Carers was about. I appreciated that the support was focused on me and assisting me to manage and facilitate my caring role to the best of my ability.

When my membership was reviewed, I chose to become a Full Member. This has opened up opportunities for me to build on my confidence and self-esteem. I welcomed the invite to attend the Full Member's Participate With Confidence session, this is where I became motivated to become more involved.

At the Full Member's Afternoon Tea in 2024, I approached the staff to discuss future full member involvement, which led to a one-to-one chat.

In this chat, the staff member helped me reflect and recognise that all the skills and experiences I had were still very relevant and active. This gave me the confidence to progress and apply to become a volunteer at Lanarkshire Carers.

Thankfully, I was successful and completed the relevant training. From my first day of volunteering, I have felt very valued and comfortable revisiting my skills.  The team has been excellent in helping me feel involved and part of the bigger picture.

My role as a volunteer has been varied, but at a pace suitable for me, whilst giving me the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone. When I was invited to be part of the recruitment process, as a full member, I felt Lanarkshire Carers had the confidence in my skills and ability to be part of the process, it empowered me to believe in myself. 

As a result of my journey with Lanarkshire Carers, I feel I have been able to grow and challenge myself to reach my full potential.”

Angela | Full Member & Volunteer