Why I chose to volunteer with Rethink Mental Illness - Jasmin's story

Jasmin volunteers for our Empowering Minds Gloucestershire Service and reflects on the positive impact it has had on her own mental health.

I originally chose to volunteer with Rethink because mental health is something I’ve always cared deeply about. To me, offering kindness and support when someone is struggling feels like a very human thing to do. People can be incredibly vulnerable during difficult periods in their lives, and often that is when empathy, understanding and practical support matter most.

What has stood out during my time with Rethink is the people around me. I’ve met some incredibly compassionate, thoughtful and committed people through volunteering. Being around people who genuinely care about improving the lives of others is infectious. There’s something very special about being somewhere where conversations about mental health can happen openly and without judgement.

How volunteering has positively impacted me:

Meaning

One of the biggest things volunteering has given me is a sense of purpose. There’s something really grounding about knowing that you’re giving your time to something you genuinely believe in. Being involved with Rethink has given me a space where I can contribute, connect with other people and feel that what I’m doing matters.

Connection and joy

But one of the things I probably didn’t expect quite as much is simply how much I enjoy it. I genuinely look forward to spending time with the people who use the service. I love talking to people, getting to know them, hearing their stories and building those relationships over time. There is often a lot of laughter too, which I think can sometimes get overlooked when we talk about mental health support. Some of my favourite moments are just sitting together, chatting, joking and laughing about completely ordinary things.

For me, that connection is a huge part of why volunteering feels so rewarding. It isn’t only about feeling that I’m helping someone. I get something from those relationships, too. There’s a real sense of enjoyment in sharing someone’s company and seeing the person beyond whatever difficulties they may be experiencing. Sometimes helping can be something very practical, but at other times it is simply listening, having a conversation or making somebody laugh.

That has had a really positive effect on my own mental wellbeing. Volunteering gives me connection and perspective, and it reminds me of the value of being part of something beyond your everyday responsibilities. I think we often talk about volunteering in terms of what volunteers give, but perhaps don’t talk enough about what volunteering gives back. For me, that has been connection, confidence, purpose, enjoyment and a real sense of belonging.

Community

Volunteering has also given me a greater appreciation of the importance of community. Life can become very focused on work, family and everyday responsibilities, and having something outside of that which feels meaningful has been incredibly positive for me. It gives me a chance to step outside of my own world, connect with different people and feel part of something bigger.

Volunteering doesn’t always have to involve something dramatic to feel worthwhile. Sometimes it’s simply turning up, talking to people, listening, helping where you can and being part of a wider community. I think that’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned; making a difference doesn’t always have to involve a huge gesture. Sometimes being present, giving somebody your time or contributing to a good day is enough.

Why you should volunteer for Rethink

If somebody was considering volunteering with Rethink, I’d absolutely encourage them to give it a try. You don’t need to arrive knowing everything or feeling completely sure of yourself. So much comes from simply getting involved and getting to know people.

I think that if you’re in a position to offer some of that support, even in a small way, then it’s a really worthwhile thing to do. Hopefully, feeling understood and supported can also help people feel more able to move forward in their recovery.

I started volunteering because I wanted to give something back. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do, or for the people I’ve met to have such a positive impact on me in return.