Margaret reflects on her volunteering journey with TALKWORKS
We recently spoke to Margaret, one of our longest standing volunteers within TALKWORKS. In the article below, she shares why she joined TALKWORKS as a volunteer and the impact that volunteering has had on her.
"It started just over 2 years ago when my lovely TALKWORKS therapist asked me if I’d be interested. But first, let me take you back a few years...
"I worked at a small college of higher education in Devon specialising in the arts for over 30 years. When I started there were less than 200 students but as the college grew so did my role. From promoting the college at careers fairs, admissions and enrolment to graduation. I supported students and parents, many from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, through their journey to graduation, which I particularly enjoyed organising. Following retirement at the end of 2010, I worked at ceremonies around the country, with my husband, for the company who provided photography and gowning services for the college’s graduation, but this all changed in January 2023 when I lost my husband. 
"Due to a change in company policy to use more locally based staff there was little or no graduation work, and I missed seeing colleagues. There were days when I was tearful, lacked motivation and sorting out the house difficult but I put this down to spending more time on my own rather than needing help. My family were very supportive, but they too were dealing with their loss. So finally, at the end of 2023, encouraged by my grandson Ben who is a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), I referred myself to TALKWORKS and this was a turning point.
"My experience of using the service was very positive from the initial telephone call from the admin team to arrange an appointment and throughout therapy. I was listened to and my preference for face-to-face appointments and for a male therapist taken into consideration. It was then I realised I should let this person know that Ben is in their team. The reply was, ‘Ah, I was going to suggest Ben, I thought he would be right for you!’. I was offered an appointment with Miranda for the following week, which I accepted.
"At the end of my last session, Miranda said ‘do you still drive and have you thought about volunteering?’ Although it was something I hadn’t really thought about, as I had benefited from using TALKWORKS I asked if there was any information I could take away. I was given a leaflet and went to see Ben. I asked him, ‘what do you think?’, his answer was ‘go for it’. So, I thought ‘why not.’ I enjoy meeting new people and with my experience and skills, it would be a way I could give back to the service and the local community.
"What I didn’t know was the volunteer programme was new and grew from just an idea and casual conversation at a local Pride event in 2023 between Archie, a student at Exeter University and Simon, Clinical Team Lead for Mid Devon. Archie impressed with the help and support he received from the service, went up to the TALKWORKS stand and said to Simon ‘I want to be a volunteer for TALKWORKS’. In 2024 for his involvement and dedication in helping set-up the volunteering project, Archie received the Together award at the Pride of DPT Awards.
"After a lengthy application process, in May 2024 I became one of the first cohort of volunteers and haven’t looked back. In August 2024 I registered as an Expert by Experience and in October became a member of the TALWORKS Volunteer Steering Group.
"Some of the things I have been involved are:
• Pride Events
• Torbay Armed Forces Day
• Ukrainian refugees’ day
• Exeter universities freshers’ week and eating disorders week
• St Lukes Challenge cup final at Devon County Football ground in Newton Abbot
• Recruitment events and interview panels for PWPs and High Intensity Therapists.
• Helping with reports and surveys and co-facilitating training
"I enjoy all aspects of volunteering and last year was particularly rewarding. I supported a client one-to-one (ICS) who had lost their confidence and wanted to join a group to make new friends. Over the course of six meetings their confidence grew and after our third meeting decided to join a Tai Chi class the following week. Just one of the activities offered. The class met on the same day and in the same building as the café just before we had our meetings. After the class the client would wait outside for me to arrive but on the day of our last meeting was inside talking to the Tai Chi group and looking very relaxed. This I saw as positive proof that a volunteer really can make a difference.
"I was invited to a meeting to promote TALWORKS at Age UK in Exeter with a Peer Support Worker and therapist, and it was clear there is still a stigma around mental health within the older age group. Recently I joined a new Older Adults EDI project whose main aims are:
• To increase access to TALKWORKS for older adults
• To develop specific materials/workbooks for older adults
• To develop links and connections with older adult services
"There is something special about volunteering for Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT), and being a TALKWORKS volunteer is like being part of a family, it really is one of the best things I have done. I regularly attend my locality team meetings and with Simon visited other teams to help promote the volunteer project.
"I am passionate about spreading the word and take every opportunity to talk about my volunteering: on trains, in shops, with friends and family and regularly go to a coffee morning each month for bereaved families. I am proud to be a TALKWORKS volunteer and spreading the word in these informal, unplanned situations is just one of the important roles of being a TALKWORKS volunteer."