Faces of Service: Rio

“I first started volunteering with SVA because I wanted something to do with my free time, and a sport or part time job just wasn't my area of interest. I wanted to do something with a purpose, so that I could help people, animals, or the environment.

SVA has given me the opportunity to do all three of those things.

Over the past couple of years, I've volunteered more than 500 hours of my time, and it's been so rewarding. From tree planting, to fundraising for kittens, to spending Saturdays helping out at my local Salvation Army Family Store, volunteering has provided endless opportunities to improve my skills while simultaneously doing something to benefit someone other than myself. If you have spare time, why not do something good with it?

As a neurodiverse teenager, getting a bit of experience in customer service through volunteering has been a great learning experience, and it gave me the confidence to pursue a part time job. My favourite volunteer experience has been fundraising for Kitten Inn. I've helped run market stalls, answered emails, and crocheted cat toys.

If you're interested in trying something new, volunteering is probably the best opportunity you'll find. If you join SVA, you can personally contribute the causes that mean something to you. So if you're considering joining, my advice is: go for it!”