Volunteer Spotlight: Kate’s Story
Did you know that giving your time as a volunteer can give you just as much in return?
Volunteering isn’t just about helping others, it’s a powerful way to grow your own skills,
confidence, and connections.
We sat down with Kate, one of our inspiring digital skills volunteers, to hear how supporting
others has helped her find a community of her own, and helped her grow in impactful, and
meaningful ways.
Q: Please could you introduce yourself, and tell us a bit about what you do?
Kate: Hello everyone! My name is Kate, and I’ve been a volunteer digital skills trainer at
Compaid for 9 years.
Q: Why did you choose to become a volunteer with Compaid?
Kate: I originally started because I needed a work experience placement for college.
I enjoyed it so much that I continued volunteering through the summer holidays, and
when I finished college, I began volunteering 2 days a week. I’ve been doing that ever since!
Q: What does volunteering look like on a daily basis for you? What do you do as a
volunteer in the digital skills centre?
Kate: Volunteering in the centre usually involves sitting with a client when they arrive at the
centre, and helping them learn new skills and become more experienced with computers. I
know a lot of clients well, so while we work together, we also chat and have a fun time together.
I help people learn the basics of using a computer so they can feel safe and confident online.
A lot of them end up doing really fun things, like writing stories, trying out online art and colouring,
or playing puzzle games that keep their minds active.
It’s amazing to see how much more independent they become as they get used to it all.
Q: What is your favourite thing about volunteering with Compaid?
Kate: Getting to know each person who comes to the centre. Spending time with them is really
encouraging for me and making friends means learning what they want becomes fun too.
Q: What is something you have learnt or gained from volunteering with Compaid?
Kate: I’ve definitely become a more confident person.
I also have a learning disability, so getting to know the clients and staff and other volunteers,
becoming friends with them, and working with them has given me the opportunity to improve my social skills.
Also, through teaching clients, I’ve learned a lot more digital skills that I use in my own life, like
finding and accessing online programmes, researching different things on the internet, and using
computers. It’s been a great experience for me.
Q: Do you think volunteering is important? Why?
Kate: Yes, I believe volunteering is very important. I enjoy being able to help people. Seeing them succeed
because of my help and realising how much I’m growing too is very rewarding. Everyone gets something
positive out of it.
Q: What would you say to someone who was interested in volunteering with Compaid?
Kate: I would say that, volunteering at Compaid is not only important, but really enjoyable too. It’s
a great opportunity to support and help people who have disabilities, and who may not have the
chance to access computers and technology like most people do.
The staff and other volunteers are supportive, and the environment is lovely.
I’m glad to have been here for 9 years.