"I started volunteering at Ecclesfield Library in June 2021 completely by accident!"
Volunteering enables people to play an active role in their community and contribute to positive social change. It can help breakdown social barriers and offer people an opportunity to socialise with people from different walks of life. SOAR is incredibly lucky to work alongside volunteers, partners & North Sheffield communities. We got in touch with Monica, a volunteer Library Assistant at Ecclesfield to hear about her volunteer journey…
I started volunteering at Ecclesfield Library in June 2021 completely by accident! An urgent need for a printer drove me to the library and upon meeting the wonderful volunteers and realising that the library is a charity, I decided I wanted to help. I am Australian and I moved to Ecclesfield in 2020. I am so grateful to be able to give back to the local community.

As a Library Assistant, I spend Saturday mornings checking books in and out but that is just part of the role! The true joy in being a Library Assistant is in being a friendly face when someone has had a hard week, being able to introduce someone to services or groups to help relieve isolation and making children laugh!
I am also lucky to be involved with the creation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the library website and LinkedIn site. This has allowed me to learn something completely new and I have thoroughly enjoyed it!
The best thing about volunteering though has to be meeting new people and being part of a community.
What would you say to somebody who’s thinking about volunteering? Do it! Volunteering is a “nice” thing to do but it is also incredibly fulfilling personally. It helps instil a sense of belonging, community and meaning which is essential to our wellbeing.
If you’re interested in volunteering at Ecclesfield Library, register your interest here: https://www.ecclesfieldlibrary.co.uk/volunteer-opportunities
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