“You give the time that you can, it’s not compulsory! And whatyou get back enriches your life!”
The following case study deals with the experience of Fiona as a volunteer of the Coventry Ambassador programme. Her feedback and views were collected during an interview and are transposed below.
Fiona already had some volunteering experience before joining the Coventry Ambassador programme. Indeed, she used to volunteer in other local programmes such as the Church because she enjoys it and finds it interesting.
She discovered about the Coventry Ambassador programme in the local newspapers. Even though she is not a sporty person, she was really excited about the Olympics and wanted to be part
of it. Therefore, the programme was a way for her to be and feel involved in what was happening. This is how she became a Coventry Ambassador in 2012.
Since then, this volunteering programme has brought a lot to her.
She extended her friendshipgroup and had the chance to
participate to interesting events and interact with people she would not have had the chance to without being a Coventry Ambassador volunteer. Besides, she also explains that she
gained recognition of other people she helped during these events thanks to the uniform. Indeed, wearing the uniform of the Coventry Ambassadors helps her approach people more easily as it reinforces her confidence. Therefore, the programme has enabled her to improve
her self-confidence.
She explains that all of the events brought something different. However, when it comes to events that particularly marked her she remembers the London 2012 Olympic Games and the HMS Diamond Parade. And finally summarises her experience as a Coventry
Ambassador as “Great!”.
