To Make a House a Home- Volunteer Blog Part 2

Volunteering at Elizabeth House for Aquila Way, Gateshead

Volunteers Fay and Jessie share their experiences helping out at Elizabeth House– Aquila Way’s residential project for young mothers in Gateshead, as part of VONNE’s Volunteers Blog Action Day, celebrating Volunteer Week 2012. 

Fay leads baking sessions with the residents, whilst Jessie runs craft and art afternoons. 

I (Fay) really value the time I spend at Elizabeth House every Monday afternoon. Initially it took me a while to settle into leading sessions but now I feel that I’ve become much more confident in myself and in building relationships with the girls. I enjoy going to visit them each week and baking lots of sweet treats such as flapjacks and muffins as well as pizzas. On some weeks we’ve made seasonal things such as a gingerbread house at Christmas and pancakes around Shrove Tuesday. I’ve been really encouraged to see the residents learn new baking skills; it was particularly great to come into the house one week and see that lots of the girls had been baking their own cakes!

I (Jessie!) have really loved my Friday afternoons in Elizabeth House. We’ve had a go at making everything from glass jewellery to wooden photo frames, and it’s been great to learn new skills alongside the girls. Not everything has always gone to plan, but the failed attempts have all been part of the fun! It’s such a breath of fresh air to go into the house and meet the residents, play with their children (who are very cute!), and sit down for a cup of tea and a chat together. I feel so welcomed as a part of the team whenever I go in, and look forward to the sessions.

If you are interested in volunteering at Elizabeth House or one of Aquila Way’s other innovative projects please contact our volunteer coordinator, Becca Kay, on 0191 491 5700 or rkay@aquilaway.org.

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