Jade Absalom shares her experience of Vitalise Skylarks

“I spent a week volunteering at Vitalise Skylarks in November 2007. The trip was set up for a group of us by my college in Oxfordshire. As health and social care students we are interested in careers in nursing and care, but for many a week at Vitalise was our first experience of caring for another person. I had very little experience of working with disabled people, so spending a week at Vitalise Skylarks was very daunting.

When I arrived, I was so nervous about everything I was going to have to do, but as soon as I met the guests and got into the swing of things I had the most amazing week of my life. My time was spent interacting with the guests, making cups of tea and just being there to support the staff. I assisted on trips out and worked to make sure guests received the best holiday possible. I would say that a highlight was helping guests to enjoy using the on-site swimming pool.

The support from Vitalise staff and other volunteers is overwhelming. If you are having problems with any aspect of being a volunteer they are there to help and they emphasise that no question is too silly to be asked. Knowing that many of the staff started off as volunteers themselves helps you realise they can relate to the emotions you are dealing with.

The experience was personally life changing for me. I developed into a better person and the joy of helping people enjoy a holiday overtakes all the other hurdles you have to overcome. Making sure guests have a brilliant week is so rewarding and the thanks that you get at the end of the week makes the tiredness you are feeling all worthwhile.

I would recommend volunteering to anyone that has a week to spare and loves to help people. I wouldn’t change my experience at Skylarks for anything – it was one of the best experiences of my life.

I enjoyed myself so much the first time that I have already been back for another fun filled week. Once again I had the experience of a lifetime and it was great to meet some amazing new guests. And this time I was the support for volunteers who were there for the first time.

Visiting for a second time just reinforced the positivity I feel for Skylarks, its staff and all the services it offers the guests. I now think of Vitalise Skylarks as a second home, and I already have plans to visit for another couple of weeks later in 2008. I have gained lifelong friendships and memories that will live with me forever.”

Rachael Dewis spent a week at Vitalise Sandpipers

"I had very little experience of people with disabilities but decided to volunteer for Vitalise after looking on the internet for volunteering opportunities. Some of my friends thought I was crazy to be taking a week off work to volunteer when I could be relaxing on a beach somewhere but when I heard about Vitalise, I was really keen to give some time to something so worthwhile.

When I arrived at Vitalise Sandpipers, I was apprehensive, particularly about some of the volunteering duties, such as dressing and feeding guests, but soon felt more relaxed when the staff gave me a thorough induction. My fears were allayed when I met other volunteers and started talking to the guests who I quickly realised were people who were there to enjoy their holiday.

Most of my time was spent talking to guests, feeding at mealtimes and making countless cups of tea. Vitalise Sandpipers runs some great day trips which the guests and volunteers really enjoyed. We went ten-pin bowling, swimming, played bingo, listened to live music and had a couple of evenings in the pub. The team were always on hand if I needed to ask anything and they really made the volunteers feel at ease.

By the end of the week I had met some amazing people and have stayed in touch with several of the guests and volunteers. I learned so much about other peoples’ lives and shared so many laughs and good times.

Volunteering at Vitalise has been beneficial to me in countless ways. Not least, it has opened my eyes to conditions that me or any of my friends or family could be affected by in the future. It showed that everybody has the right, and the desire, for a great holiday and that Vitalise makes this possible. My self confidence rocketed and the experience has given me a much more positive view of life.

If anyone is thinking of volunteering for Vitalise I would definitely recommend it. I had an incredible week at Vitalise and one that I will always remember. In so many ways it was far better than spending a week lying on a beach!"