Volunteers make a real difference to our work.

In the last 12 months, 44 volunteers have donated a combined 800,000 minutes of their time to help what we do.

That's 572 days or about a year and a half's worth of help between them.

It's all vital work that helps in the day-to-day work we do to provide a range of mental health and learning disability services to the people of Sheffield.

Mia Bajin, engagement and volunteer manager for SHSC, said: "Volunteers do some brilliant work for us. They help out across a range of areas, including directly helping service users at what is often a difficult time in their lives.

"I can't thank them enough for everything that they all do.

"I would encourage anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer with us to give it a go - you really can help to make a difference."

More information about our volunteer roles and how to get in contact with us can be found here. 

Usosi Chakraborty and Bradley Sherriff are two of our fantastic volunteers. They explain what volunteering means to them and why they do it.

She spends time there with the elderly service users who have dementia, giving care and companionship to them, helping other staff with their daily routines, taking service users on outings and enjoying a good old sing along and waltz with them to help spread joy.

And Usosi, who began her working career as an engineer, puts her cooking skills to good use by baking cakes for the service users and helping to feed those who need a little bit of extra help.

Other activities include helping with activities including drawing and solving puzzles.

Speaking about her experience through volunteering, Usosi said:

"I thoroughly enjoy volunteering, as each day is filled with meaningful and enriching moments. The opportunity to connect with and care for others, particularly those in need, brings me a deep sense of fulfilment and purpose.

"Through this work, I feel I am giving back to my community in a way that truly matters, making a positive impact on the lives of the people I help. It’s not just about the tasks I perform, but about the relationships I build and the joy I can bring to others. Volunteering allows me to contribute to society in a heartfelt and rewarding way.

"I volunteer because I believe in the power of kindness and the importance of giving back to the community. There is something incredibly rewarding about offering time, effort, and care to those who may need it most. Volunteering allows me to step outside of my own world and connect with others on a deeper level, especially with those who may not have the same opportunities or support systems. It gives me the chance to make a difference, even if it’s in small ways, and reminds me of the value of compassion and human connection."

Recently he has been designing and writing articles for the newsletter for the helping one another group (a peer support group attended by current or former service users of the Older Adults Community Mental Health Team and Older Adults Home Treatment Teams). He has also been helping sorting IT for new volunteers when they first start.

Avid reader and writer Bradley has been volunteering with SHSC since May, usually putting in between three and six hours a week and doing additional work at home (working on the newsletter).

And speaking about his experience as a volunteer with us, 21-year-old Bradley said, "I enjoy it. Sometimes it's hard or challenging in ways but I've found a lot of joy in being able to help people and learn more about how the NHS operates, so yes I have definitely enjoyed it and it's absolutely been worth it.

"I do it because I'm passionate about helping people and I strongly align myself with the values of the NHS. Free healthcare is a pipe dream to a lot of people in the world and I'm very grateful to be able to aid an organisation which offers it to people."

As well as volunteering for SHSC, Bradley works part-time as a support worker and studies as a psychology undergraduate.