VOLUNTEER WEEK: Emily has changed career paths, but still loves volunteering

Nineteen-year-old Emily Whaite started volunteering in The Mill café in the grounds of St Catherine’s Park in order to gain work experience as part of her college studies.

She was doing a Level 2 catering course at Preston’s College and volunteered her time two days a week to get a feel for what it’s really like to work in the industry.

Now, although she’s switched career paths and is now completing a public services course at Runshaw College, she still enjoys lending a hand in the busy café as well as at hospice fundraising events.

“I just really enjoy my time at The Mill,” Emily, from Penwortham, says. “I like meeting lots of different people and helping at events, such as the Light up a Life evening recently.

“It was my college tutor who suggested I apply to volunteer at The Mill. It was a year-long course and I needed to find a work placement, so I started in May 2015 and fit it in around my days at college. It’s good to get hands-on experience and see how things are done.

“I work in the kitchen as well as the café serving customers. My favourite aspect of the role is being in the café and interacting with all of the different personalities.

“I’ve carried on volunteering because I still feel like I’m learning and getting real-life work experience, whilst also helping to support the hospice.”

– To find out more about volunteering with St Catherine’s, click here, email volunteerdepartment@stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171.

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