Five minutes with…Erika
We’re celebrating Volunteers’ Week and, as part of those celebrations, we’ve been sharing more about some of the amazing people who support our organisation by generously giving their time.
Here, we meet Erika who volunteers alongside our Lalley Centre team…
Tell us about your what you do at Caritas Salford…
I volunteer at the food pantry and the allotment, in the Lalley Centre.
At the food pantry, I help sort donated food and help people use the store. In the garden, I help maintain the vegetable and flower beds and sow seeds, which is what I enjoy the most.
How long have you volunteered with Caritas and why did you decide to get involved?
I started with Caritas in May 2023. I decided to get involved in Caritas, because I knew a little about Caritas International’s humanitarian work in my country El Salvador and in Spain as well. Now that I have been here as a volunteer for a while, I have learned more about the commitment and work that Caritas Salford does in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. That gives me more encouragement to continue contributing my time.
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
The best thing about volunteering is gaining work experience and developing new skills. At the same time, it makes a difference in the community by helping those in need.
What’s the best thing about your particular volunteering role?
At the food pantry, I enjoy talking to the other volunteers and people who come to the centre for help and giving them a warm smile. In the garden, I like to plant and watch the plants grow. It is wonderful!
Caritas is a charity. What is it like volunteering with a charitable organisation
Volunteering at a charity can be an incredibly rewarding job. It offers opportunities to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. In addition, it contributes to the acquisition of new skills and personal and professional growth.
What surprised you about volunteering here that you didn’t expect?
The dedication and commitment that Caritas has to help those most in need. The work behind each activity or event that Caritas carries out and the reach it can create in the community.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not volunteering?
I like to go to the library in Manchester, pick up a book at random and start reading it. I can spend a whole day there without noticing the time. I also love doing outdoor activities, exploring new places and sharing a good time with my family and friends.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Greater Manchester or Lancashire?
Manchester is a cosmopolitan city where you find fun, culture, sport and education in one city. It’s like having an all-inclusive! That’s why I enjoy being in Manchester, because it gives me the ease of doing any of those things. On the other hand, I also enjoy getting to know the green areas in the city and the facility of taking a train and visiting a town, exploring and getting fresh air.
What three words best describe you?
Determined, passionate and adventurous
How would you sum up the difference your volunteering makes in a sentence?
To dedicate my free time to supporting the organisation and helping people in need, making my volunteer work tangible, creating a positive impact on people’s lives.
What would you say to other people think of starting to volunteer?
As a personal experience, I can say volunteering is a perfect way to develop and acquire skills. It has helped me connect with people in a rewarding way. If you are new to the UK like me, volunteering can also be a great way to improve your English skills. I encourage you to do it and leave your fears aside, because it is worth it!
To find out more about how you can join Erika as a Caritas Salford volunteer, and the wide variety of volunteering roles available, visit our volunteering website page now: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer/