As part of Volunteer’s Week (Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th June) we’d like to recognise and celebrate our amazing volunteers by focusing on their stories. By giving their time and skills, they help us to support some of the most disadvantaged people in Wolverhampton.
In-Comm Training have pledged to support Good Shepherd in 2025 and many of their staff have taking part in corporate volunteering. We asked some members of the team their thoughts on volunteering at the Good Shepherd.
Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training said:.
What do you do at the Good Shepherd?
I am the managing director of a training organisation named In-Comm, we have embarked on a 12-month partnership to support the activities of the Good Shepherd through:
- 77 staff given annual volunteering days to support service users’ lunchtimes
- Donating staff development programmes & training
- Donating clothes and food
- Fund raising initiatives
Why did you decide to volunteer and how long have you been volunteering?
In 2023 I was severely suffering with my mental health, which had been progressively declining over several years for many different reasons.
I shied away from engaging external support due to the potential impact the stigma and judgement may have on our organisation, my family, friends and myself.
What I didn’t realise is the things I was trying to keep safe; I was actually putting at risk. It was only when a friend interjected and took me to support services, that I realised how poorly I was and that I needed to take drastic action in order to get better.
It has been an eye-opening experience and I couldn’t have done it without my wife, and loved ones support, their care, their love and attention.
Now I am in a position to be able to help and support others are their recovery journey and no matter how small an impact I can make, I want to.
What do you find the most fulfilling about volunteering here?
Taking part in the magical services the Good Shepherd provides, allows me to give back to the local community whilst also supporting my own recovery journey. Anyone that knows me will agree I have a true love of people, their journeys and their experiences, volunteering feeds those values immensely. Thank you to the GS team for your partnership and giving us the opportunity, you have amazing people around you.
Why do you feel the work of the Good Shepherd is important in Wolverhampton?
When you’re in need and in the midst of mental health issues, it is dark, confusing, spiralling and scary. To have an organisation to reach out with compassion, care and want to see people develop and get well, is truly amazing. Without the GS, their support services and great people, many people would not find the strength to recover. It’s a true reminder that people are not alone and that there are people and organisations that care.
Describe the Good Shepherd in three words?
- Inclusive
- Non-judgemental
- Magical
Dutch Holland, HR Officer for In-Comm Training & Business Services said:
What do you do at the Good Shepherd?
I am the HR Officer for In-Comm Training & Business Services and in 2025 our Managing Director partnered with Good Shepherd as our supported charity for 2025. I have been coordinating our staff, as well as directly getting involved myself in the following:
- Attending Good Shepherd once a month over a 12 month period to assist staff and other volunteers in providing a lunchtime meal service to service users.
- Arranging fundraising events with the aim of achieving £5000 for the Good Shepherd in 2025.
- Co-ordinating the collection and delivery of food, drink and clothing donations.
Why did you decide to volunteer and how long have you been volunteering?
Good Shepherd attended our Company Away Day in December 2024 and their story was inspirational. No one knows what is around the corner and it could be anyone who may rely on such a service as the one that Good Shepherd provides. Whilst I am in the position to be able to support them then it is the right thing to do and since the beginning of 2025 I have either directly supported them by attending their facility or been the coordinator of events and activities for our staff to attend.
What do you find the most fulfilling about volunteering here?
I think the most fulfilling thing is the sincerity displayed by everyone who supports the service users, there is no judgement or stereotyping and everyone is there with the same purpose of being able to help others who are in need of support at this time.
Why do you feel the work of the Good Shepherd is important in Wolverhampton?
Wolverhampton is a diverse city that really embraces its people, no matter who they are, where they are from, or what they believe – they are treated as fellow human beings. The sense of community in Wolverhampton is amazing and I believe that if the tables were turned then everyone would be there for each other. Indeed, seeing how some service users have been able to benefit from the work of the Good Shepherd and are then immediately there to give something back is quite amazing.
Describe the Good Shepherd in three words?
Truly Amazing People
