Volunteer Voices: "If it wasn't for volunteering, I don't know if I would have made it." - Emma Kent

Written by Emma Kent

I have volunteered with QT Community CATs for around 3 years now. It began as an opportunity to take a young lady I was supporting at the time who has Neurodiverse needs. I continued to volunteer after I saw the true value of the work that the organisation was doing and how it touched each member of the community from toddlers at kindy to the older folk we visit.

I suffer from mental health issues, battling 6 anxiety disorders, chronic depression, autism and ADHD. My ADHD diagnosis was quite recent and it triggered a mental health crisis for me. I went under the care of my local mental health team and became very unwell, even resulting in two hospital visits because I couldn't keep food down due to the high levels of anxiety I was experiencing.

No matter how I felt, every day I turned up to the cattery. Not only did it give me a sense of purpose which was bigger than myself, it helped me to begin to heal. The calm and caring nature of the cats who had no judgement or prejudice towards me helped me realise I was worthy of being loved and supported because no matter what emotional state I was in, the cats were happy to see me.

This ball started to roll and once I saw the incredible healing powers of the cats and how they were touching the lives of multiple different members of the community, I became very inspired by their ability to help others smile. Watching the cats and kittens spreading joy in our community, slowly started to build my foundations again. Sharing kindness and compassion with other people around us who are also struggling, we just may not realise it, but it can help you feel less alone.

Soon enough, the people we were interacting with in our community would thank us for the hard work we do and offer compliments on how I was handling the cats and interacting with children. This was a great help to my low self esteem.

I'm 9 months into my latest mental health crisis and I'm proud to say, I facilitate 7 community outreach programs a week. I have found a place in this world where I feel like I matter, I'm loved for who I am and I have valuable things to offer.

If it wasn't for volunteering, I don't know if I would have made it.

*Volunteer South thanks Emma for sharing her heartfelt story to raise awareness of the impact of volunteering on personal wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week. Explore roles in your area today