Q and A with Saturday session leader Laura

Hello Laura - great to talk to you. Please tell us about how and when you got involved with Finchley Foodbank?

I really wanted to do something a bit better with my time. My partner works in a charity, so sometimes when he comes home I really feel the difference between what we’ve both done all day. I work in operations in retail for a fashion brand. It's a great job but I didn't always feel fulfilled by it so I looked at local charities and came across the foodbank here in East Finchley.

How did you become a session leader? 

I’d been volunteering for about a year when the manager, Rachel Nelson, asked me. She could see I was confident with people and was always trying to get everything done in an orderly and fast-paced way. I became a bit of a reference point to some other volunteers because I was very quick to take on what needs to be done next. And sometimes people ended up asking me what to do.

Doing Monday stocking sessions, when we re-fill the foodbank shelves, I think people just really saw that I was quite comfortable with the setting. And I think Rachel saw that as well. 

What are the challenges? 

Well it’s managing the volunteers, mainly people older than me. I try to keep things easy and light. I don’t try to push people to do something that they don't want to, or I'm stepping on anyone's toes.

And at the same time, it might be one of my strengths. Maybe this is my Eastern European background that might come across as strict but I try to make it fun. I do like a little joke alongside it all. It's kind of my little trump card in my pocket.  

And what do you like about it then? 

I think it's just a sense of giving back, you know? I think especially walking home afterwards, you know, you walk past the High Street, and you see all the shops and cafes and everything. And, you know, people are out there and able to spend, drink, and treat themselves. But it's just a constant reminder when you leave that, you know, how valuable little things can be, you know, lots of people don't have much and make that sense of being able to give someone something. When I leave my sessions that's what really matters to me. 

Are you developing any skills by leading the client sessions ?

It’s great to get the insider knowledge of how it runs and why and how people volunteering. I’m storing up ideas for the future and maybe I could set something up one day that will be even closer to my heart. 

I work in fashion retail and I see that there’s a lot produced that doesn’t always get used, so there’s a lot of wastage. And I think a lot of people, especially children, need clothing that they grow out of so quickly. So I think that's something that's always been on my mind too, to maybe utilise all the clothing that's already out there but that never reaches a store. Like a clothing bank. 

What would you say to anyone thinking about stepping up into the leader role? 

Do it. If you're already volunteering and feel like taking on a bit more, then it just needs a bit of learning. You just need to think more widely about what goes on in all areas, not just the one. And you get plenty of support learning the ropes. 

I would definitely say that it adds to your overall sense of wellbeing. The sessions are even more rewarding, because you are so much more engaged and responsible. I think you can take a lot away from it afterwards and apply that to your work, your daily life, how you communicate.

I love this idea of you walking out of the foodbank with this wonderful feeling inside, when you feel like you've done something good.

Yes, absolutely, something worthwhile or something that's made a difference. When you reflect on the role, afterwards,  you realise how what you’ve been doing is so fulfilling. 

If talking to you today has inspired just one person to consider becoming a volunteer one day then I’m pleased. Maybe it's something for them in the future. It doesn't have to always be right now.

Thank you Laura!