L's story

When L started volunteering at Vinnies, she was facing a number of personal challenges. L says that volunteering role gave her a purpose, joy and eventually, full-time work. L was a single mother with two children struggling to find work. This was a difficult period for L and her mental well-being was suffering. After seeing an advert for volunteers on the internet, L decided to give volunteering for St Vincent de Paul a go.

L was excited to get up and do something and found purpose in her role. L is now a full-time manager of a Vinnies story. L is still deeply involved in the volunteering side of things and is a mentor to others who volunteers at the store. She recalls a special needs volunteer who came to the shop with a support worker. Since then, this volunteer works on her own and performs all the different roles around the store. L pays attention to the volunteers’ own journeys and their stories. L believes that volunteering with Vinnies turned her life around giving her renewed purpose.