Beth's story

Beth is a volunteer at Upper Moreton Rural Activities. Volunteering has supported her own health and well-being whilst developing wider personal skills.

“Volunteering has been very rewarding, it has given me a lot of fulfilment and satisfaction. It has enabled me to learn more about myself and grow my own confidence. I feel it has improved my social and communication skills. It is challenging but in a positive way as it improves my adaptability and resilience. I like helping and supporting in lots of various ways. I have had the opportunity to and enjoyed working with a wide variety of people with different personalities and struggles. Supporting people to experience and achieve things they have never done before or not had the opportunity to is rewarding. I love to watch people grow and surprise themselves with what they can achieve and learn.

It has been such a positive experience for me. I have seen people be able to feel more comfortable, accepted and understood. I'm proud to feel a part of ensuring people feel comfortable and safe in a relaxing and calming environment that the farm creates. I like being part of enabling people to interact and communicate with new people and witnessing people enjoy themselves, learn new knowledge and skills and feel positive emotions.

I have learned so much myself about animal care, gardening, the environment and more, along with life skills from being a participant on the courses to now a volunteer. An improvement in my confidence has enabled me to now help other people learn too. This feels very rewarding and a positive achievement for myself. The staff have been extremely supportive in my journey from receiving support to being able to support others. I am so grateful I am able to have this opportunity.”