EFT volunteer Zach, recently achieved his Platinum Award for his outstanding contribution to the charity. Here's Zach's story of how he's achieved this.
Zach came to EFT more than 6 years ago, starting his journey with our ‘Without Walls’ outdoor skills and conservation project. After completing a course in Horticulture at college he had not been able to secure work due to living in a village and not driving. Zach has Autism and struggled with confidence and communication. He joined our course to get out of the house as he had always loved being outdoors.
Over the 6 years he has been with EFT he has volunteered on Without Walls, our site maintenance and conservations groups, bike maintenance, DIY, whittling and bushcraft courses.
Before the pandemic we had been able to provide training in bike maintenance, which built his confidence to the point that he could help with course delivery. He then volunteered working with secondary school students teaching mechanical skills, which although was ‘in at the deep end’, he did very well, with great feedback from the students and tutors, who appreciated his calming presence. During the pandemic, when our services were reduced to a core offer, Zach was not able to volunteer for a long period and as a result he struggled to get back to EFT. He made the first steps back by joining the site conservation volunteering group (‘Advanced Without Walls’) and was able to find his feet at his own pace.
Zach once again became a great help to staff; he is in early, helps set up, stays to clear away, he is methodical and practical with a huge wealth of experience, knowledge and skills across many areas. With some support from staff, and other volunteers, he has once again come out of his shell and is helping to not only work one-to-one with participants but to teach groups.
Zach is now also employed part-time alongside his volunteering; he has joined our maintenance team to support site development. He has been able to buy a car which he is doing up himself, and is currently taking driving lessons.
Zach says his involvement with the charity has built his skills, knowledge and experience, but most of all his self-confidence has grown in his time here and he would love to work more when possible. EFT staff enjoy Zach’s company and his skilled support; he is a great asset to the Trust.
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering for us, visit out volunteering page here.
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