19/11/2025
Meet Lorna, a volunteer who has walked the path of the Self Care Management Programme and experienced its transformative power firsthand.
My journey with Self Care Management has been nothing short of life-changing, and I wanted to share my story and the profound impact of undertaking a role as a volunteer and how it’s changed my life and overall mental wellbeing.
Self Care Management is about empowering individuals to take charge of their health and wellbeing. We do this through education, support and practical tools. We promote holistic self care that includes emotional and physical wellness, mental health awareness and practices to encourage social engagement within the community.
My journey with Self Care Management began in 2017, following a significant turning point in my life. After 21 years of dedicated service at the same school, I faced redundancy in 2016. This was a challenging period, especially after having suffered a stroke at the age of 35, which had already curtailed my career as a high school teacher and led to me to retraining as a learning support academic mentor.
Feeling lost and uncertain about my future, I was offered a place on the Self Care Management course. Initially, I was sceptical about how it could help me. However, after just a few sessions I was overwhelmed by the professionalism of the course tutors and felt I could easily relate with them as they too have been on their own self care journeys. I realised that the positive mindset and strategies provided were exactly what I needed to move forward. By the end of the course, I knew I wanted to give back by becoming a volunteer tutor.
I went through the vigorousness comprehensive interview and recruitment process and embarked on the training course which required a lot of commitment but that is to be expected when working in such a professional capacity. I enjoyed the intellectual and theoretical side of learning alongside the practical exercises and assessments that were required to deliver the Self Care Management Programmes.
I continued to benefit from the mental stimulation the role offers. It is always challenging as the groups of people we work with are always different. During the period of lockdown in Covid when we couldn’t work with groups face-to-face we had the new challenge of learning to deliver courses online using Teams. This was perhaps some of the most challenging times as using technology is not always easy but it is again rewarding. From being a detractor of online delivery I soon became one of the strongest advocates.
One of the most significant aspects of my role as a volunteer is the immediate connection I have with participants. Having been in their shoes, I understand the challenges they face on a daily basis and can offer genuine empathy and effective coping strategies. Seeing others in similar situations and helping them navigate their journeys has been incredibly rewarding.
Participants often see the course's impact on us as volunteers and feel motivated to embrace the same positive changes in their lives. Also, this shared experience within the group fosters a sense of community as they recognise, they’re not the only ones going through life living with health conditions and this builds trust, making our programmes even more effective. I am especially proud of the chance to follow up and see how participants are getting on after the courses end when they attend our ‘Friends of Self Care’ events.
Volunteering has kept me active, both physically and mentally. Preparing and delivering courses, and staying up-to-date with training, has been intellectually stimulating. Over the past few years, I’ve grown in confidence and self-esteem, which enabled me to re-enter the job market. After Covid, I found a part-time weekend job in retail, and last year, I had the courage to apply for a role within a school again as an exams invigilator. I am now happily engaged in two part-time jobs that bring me immense satisfaction and sense of own self worth and purpose.
I owe a great deal of my success to the wonderful Self Care Management Team. They have always encouraged and promoted the wellbeing of the team. We are more than just colleagues; we are a family that cares deeply about each other. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the NHS volunteer sector, and I highly recommend volunteering to anyone who feels lost, alone, or lacking in focus and energy. The rewards and recognition as a team are immense.
Volunteering for the Self Care Management Team has been a life-changing experience. It has provided me with purpose, fulfilment, and a supportive community. My journey has shown me that self care is not just about taking care of ourselves but also about extending care and compassion to others. It is a journey that will not only make a difference in the lives of others but also enriched my own life in ways you never imagined.
