Bilal is one of the many registered volunteers on our volunteering Wandsworth platform who used the platform and was able to successfully volunteer. Bilal’s volunteering journey in the borough started when he was registered on the platform in 2023 and has now been volunteering for more than a year in the borough of Wandsworth with Wandsworth based charity Power2Connect.
Bilal a university graduate is currently volunteering whilst looking for paid employment and has had experience with volunteering at Kensington library helping people with gadget and technology enquiries. Bilal decided to volunteer with Power2Connect as he was first referred the opportunity by an NHS social prescriber who found the platform and helped him to apply through on the Volunteering Wandsworth platform. Bilal was encouraged to volunteer as a way of being outside and having an activity to do with his time. Bilal knew he wanted to do something that he felt capable of doing and the Power2Connect volunteering opportunity he felt he could do.
“A lot of the issues people have in this volunteering position are simple things like accessing emails or creating accounts to buy train tickets, there isn’t anything that is too technical it’s more day-to-day things for people who have been effectively left behind digital divide”.
Before volunteering Bilal’s past skills included working in retail, dealing with customers, and knowing how to deal with computers and phones. This has helped contribute to the skills and knowledge that Bilal has which help him today in his current volunteering role. Growing up Bilal was interest in computer repairs and building his own computer and has experience in phone repairs. A lot of people want to do basic things, and they need help in those things, and you don’t need very technical knowledge to do that, it’s more about knowing how to prioritise what the persons needs are doing things step by step, so they understand and having patience for that.
How has volunteering helped you or impacted you?
Bilal has helped someone create an appointment for a GP for example and has also helped a few people with various other needs in need when they come to the Power2Connect digital sessions and he feels good when is able to help.
“Power2Connect are a helpful and supportive team”.
Bilal would recommend Power2Connect as they are a helpful and supportive team and if you a have a problem there is always someone in the team to speak to. Bilal feels supported as he volunteers with the Power2Connect team and enjoys volunteering with Power2Connect so much that he would be happy to have a job with the Power2Connect team.
Discover volunteering opportunities on our platform here.