Celebrating Our Volunteers
The aim of this project is to give a voice to all the lovely volunteers who serve and care at Maya’s Community Support Centre. We are planning to make an exhibition and a book using stories, poems, art and photography. This project will raise awareness about social issues, inspire change and amplify marginalised voices. Telling stories has created a strong sense of belonging within our volunteer community and this has improved mental health and wellbeing amongst our group. Many volunteers have stated that volunteering has transformed their lives and given them a focus.
These are a few comments from the stories: being at Maya’s has given purpose, the place they most like to be, given them their smile back, happier than ever, making a difference, creating a support group, volunteering is a dream come true, letting go of fears, made to feel strong and useful, life feels more equal and fair, making pure magic, feeling accepted for who you are and being given a sense of purpose and pure joy!
I feel humbled to be involved with this wonderful project and to have read so many brave and inspiring stories. Being part of Maya’s ‘family’ is indeed extraordinary and life changing.
Millie Brierley MA
November 2024
Fresh Food, Avoiding Waste
I volunteer for Maya every Wednesday morning for about an hour. Five days a week, one of the Whitstable Soroptimists drives to Aldi to collect the goods which members of the public have donated and the surplus fresh food given by Aldi. My day is Wednesday and I go equipped with my hi vis jacket, Bags For Life and £1 for a shopping trolley.
Some weeks my car is full of apples, other weeks its bread and – especially nerve wracking – the car is full of eggs. When the car is loaded up safely, I drive to Maya’s, hoping that there will be a space in the loading bay and – best of all – a volunteer to give me a hand.
There are two reasons why I enjoy volunteering. First of all it means that fresh food is there for anyone who needs it. Many food banks only give out tinned and packet food so a fresh apple or banana must make a lot of difference. My second reason is that my volunteering means that the food isn’t wasted.
Soroptimists volunteer in all sorts of ways and all our volunteering is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There are 17 Goals and, if they were all achieved , I think the world would be a better place. Providing the food helps to achieve the first Goal which is End Poverty, and the second which is End Hunger and the third which is Ensure Healthy Lives. Avoiding food waste works towards the 12th Goal which is is Ensure Sustainable Consumption.
Jane Webb
Soroptimist International Whitstable & District
What does volunteering at Maya's mean to me ?
A warm welcome –
Everyone needs to feel wanted
People working together –
Nothing is impossible when we stand together
Solving problems along the way –
Teamwork is the thing that makes Maya’s rock!
Giving and receiving respect –
Valuing everyone’s contributions equally whether it’s half an hour or longer
Never too busy to listen to others –
Everyone has time to listen and make someone’s day brighter by having a chat
Not judging people –
Taking people as you find them and valuing the differences between us all
Developing confidence and enabling others to grow –
Some people have low self-esteem and have never been told just how great they are
Stepping up to the plate without being asked –
Maya’s volunteers are famous for this and are inspired by others
A place where people can belong and not be frightened, worried or anxious
The world can sometimes seem like a scary place –
Maya’s offers a safe haven
Human beings need to have opportunities to show they love and care about their community –
This is a place where your contribution counts!!!
Thank you for the chance to get involved.
Glynis
Soroptimist International Whitstable & District
Volunteering at Maya's give me
Hope
A purpose
A family
Friends and Support
MY STORY
I am a survivor of domestic abuse, childhood abuse.
I worked in care for 21 years I even managed a care home for five years.
I had a breakdown and ended up losing my job, being homeless and losing my cat. He was my best friend
Lack of support, empathy and understanding led to me two years ago jumping in front of a train. I was let down by services that are there to help people.
I’m permanently disabled I’ve had around ten operations so far and need more. Being in a wheelchair I didn’t even consider volunteering until I spoke to Maya, Bev and the team.
Now I help Pat test electrical items donated to the free shop to ensure they are safe before handed back out to the community
I also help with some admin.
I now have a purpose. After meeting with Andrew he showed me although the wheelchair is an obstacle it doesn’t define me. I still have potential. Yes, my life has changed but it’s not the end.
Heidi
My Story
I am a member of Soroptimist International Whitstable & District. We stand up for woman, girls and all communities – so I chose to volunteer at Maya’s. I love being part of the wonderful volunteer ‘family’ who give so much of their time helping others. I love volunteering in the Café where I serve refreshments. I enjoy talking to people very much and I hope listening and talking to individuals may help them. Many people who use the Café feel lonely and isolated. The Café offers a wide range of financial assistance and we direct clients in need to the Free Food Bank, Free Shop and Free Furniture Bank, all run by our volunteers!
I have made lots of new friends, which is lovely for me, as I’m retired. I believe Maya’s enables volunteers to spread community spirit, love and kindness to all those who need it and to each other. I have seen new volunteers gain confidence and become more empowered individuals by becoming part of the team. My background is as a college lecturer in photography. I have also worked on many social documentary projects about ‘care’ in the community and the hospital environment. Therefore, I have taken a leading role in this project, Power of People. The aim of the project is to give a voice to volunteers by encouraging them to share their stories and communicate how fantastic believing in ‘you’ can be. All the volunteers’ stories have been wonderful to read. I have been quite overwhelmed by the many brave and inspiring stories that have been shared. We all come from different and diverse backgrounds, but the universal message of this project is that volunteering at Maya’s is transformative and has given many volunteers a new way of seeing themselves and the world around them.
Millie
Soroptimist International Whitstable & District
I love this beautiful community
My mental health certainly took a plummet during the pandemic. Redundancy in a job, a confusing relationship end, then Covid. I then found myself in a dark, lonely place, barely able to go out.
One day I took a small walk past Maya’s. I was feeling very sad. I remember looking in the Cafe and Maya came over to say hello. She noticed my tears and my lost feeling. Then she gave me the biggest, warmest supportive hug. This was at a time when I felt very worthless and unlovable.
She invited me in for a cuppa tea and spoke to me about volunteering. So I offered my services and I started to feel better doing a Saturday night food pick up.
Since then I started to spend more time at Maya’s and found a beautiful family of friends.
Life is good now. Settled home life and new job. But the place I like to be most of all is volunteering at Maya’s with my beautiful second home.
Theresa
My Story
From eleven months old I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma and I had a relapse when I was three. I was bullied throughout secondary school. I was home schooled from the age of fourteen. I lost my confidence, my self esteem and I struggled to maintain friendships. In 2016 I moved to Kent and studied a Skills for Life and Work course at Canterbury College. I flourished and gained my confidence and made friends. But when I went into mainstream studying Health and Social Care, I went back into my shell.
When I left college I got a job in a residential home working with adults with learning difficulties. I gained knowledge and experience but due to my severe social anxiety I unfortunately lost my job at Strode Park. In 2022 I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), then in spring of 2023 I was diagnosed with Central Serous Retinopathy, from taking steroids for my Auto Immune Hepatitis, diagnosed in summer 2004.
In 2023 I was successful in getting another job at Harrier Lodge Care Home but due to my severe social anxiety, I had my employment terminated. At the beginning of this year I reached out to my GP and referred myself to We Are With You and applied for Employment Support Allowance (ESA). I was given multiple fit notes due to my mental health. I haven’t found my confidence to go back into full time employment.
I’ve been going into Maya’s for the past two years, enjoying bacon sarnies and hot chocolate. Then six weeks ago I plucked up the courage to ask Maya if I would be able go do some volunteering. I’m so proud of myself that I did. Since I started volunteering at Maya’s, I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve got my confidence back, found some lovely new friends and have become a great part of a big family. Best of, all my smile is back!
Steven
Maya's Community
My dark days started at the age of six when I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. My blood family started abusing me in many ways and teachers abused me, just for being autistic. People who I thought were my friends even mistreated me. I thought I would never be able to love and trust anyone ever again. I suffered terribly from depression and I didn’t want to live anymore.
Since coming to Herne Bay in 2018, I have made a lot of amazing friends. I met two amazing women who I see as my mother and sister. Due to previous experiences I never liked being touched by anyone, when I first met Maya she gave me a massive hug and kiss on the cheek. I have to admit I was really anxious about that at first but I could really feel that she is lovely and amazing women. I now feel comfortable around other people because of her. In September 2023 I became a volunteer at Maya’s and it has made me so happy because I get to help people who are in need. I have made so many amazing friends, who are like a massive family to me and they have never treated me bad. I love and trust them fully. I go to the Café and have really nice chats and laughs with them all. I am much happier than I was all those years ago.
Natty
Life has beaten me so many times I could write a book
I was broken yet again in early 2013. Most of my friends had died. Despite my wonderful children and my gorgeous Granddaughter I was full of inner loneliness.
I had heard of Maya’s. I walked past numerous times, but I didn’t have the courage to even stop for a tea. I so wanted to volunteer but could I risk rejection? Was I good enough? One day I counted to ten and walked into the cafe and asked about volunteering. I was given a form to fill in and bring back. I asked to fill it in there and then in case I didn’t have the courage to bring it back. That day changed my life. I love the shop and the special people who have become friends.
Of course, it got spoilt. A few months later I became very ill and nearly died. I thought I wouldn’t make it to Christmas. I did return then became ill several times again. The last time leaving me disabled. Would Maya want me back? Well, I am back and grateful the shop helps people. It has given me so much happiness. I love it. I will forever be thankful for the love I receive and can give back. If I can make even a small difference to others, I will be happy. Together at Maya’s I believe we make an
enormous difference.
Chris
My Story
My story starts twelve years ago. I had been at home for five year with my daughter and hoped to go back to work as a community carer. But my nan needed me. Of course I said yes, as she had been the only stable adult in my life growing up.
Mum was disabled with arthritis and her partner and my brother looked after her so I could concentrate on nan. But I became ill with a double ear infection, which left me in bed for days. I gradually got better when I suddenly went back downhill. My GP said it was post viral fatigue and it would last a few days. But two week turned into a month….I went to and fro the doctors. They couldn’t give me a definitive answer and all tests were coming back normal. My mental health also took a downward turn, as I just didn’t understand what was wrong. Then scrolling through Facebook one day I came a across a page called Fibromyalgia My Ass! I found this funny so opened it up. It struck many chords so I did some more research and realised I could have written this. I was referred to rheumatologist and after two years of fighting to get an answer it was confirmed I had Fibromyalgia and M.E
In 2022, I had my third Covid jab and went to Egypt for two weeks. All went well but when I got home, bang I went crashing down like a sack! I was housebound for months.
I’d been following Maya on Facebook and decided to do something. I planned to start volunteering in the new year. New year came and my M.E was bad as ever. It was another eight months before I felt I had enough energy to introduced myself. I was inducted a few days later with the gorgeous Bev. Working in the café was physically the easiest. The rest is history. I can honestly say it was the best thing I did turning up that day! Everyone welcomed me with open arms and I never felt judged. I felt relaxed enough to just be me. My mental health got better as I now felt I had a purpose in life. I have recently been promoted to Cafe Manager, which really made my day. I am so grateful for how I have been accepted and will never leave my gorgeous new family.
Jazz
My Story
From the age of six to sixteen I was sexually abused and raped by lots of men, including a family member. My parents were aware but did nothing to help me. My father worked 6am to 6pm and my mother was an alcoholic. I tried to protect my brothers, but when the abuser died, my father threw me out of the family home.
At eighteen I chose a path dedicated to safeguarding young lives by becoming a nursery teacher. For eighteen years I poured my heart into nurturing and protecting children. My work became my healing, allowing me to transform my pain into positive actions. However, life tested my resilience when my daughter was sexually abused in the school where I was working. As a parent, who had devoted my life to protecting children, I became overwhelmed by not being able to stop my own daughter from being abused. This lead to me having a heart attack. I felt mentally, emotionally and physically haunted by the monsters that hurt my daughter and me. I turned to drink and drugs to help me hide and I tried to take an overdose, which fortunately failed. My marriage crumbled and my mental health deteriorated, resulting in two breakdowns and six hospital stays. Yet even in my darkest moments the desire to help others has never left me.
Now, through Maya’s, I have discovered a new purpose, creating a support group for men’s mental health. This platform has become my way of showing others that transformation is possible. My journey has taught me that while we can’t change our past, we can use our experiences to light the way for others. Through supporting others with my group M.A.T.E. I have found a new way to make a difference. This all would not be possible without Maya’s support and what she has done for the community in Herne Bay.
Ricky
My Story
My dream is to help and support people, as a Street Pastor. I want to help vulnerable people, by chatting and helping with a listening ear. I wanted to do something in Herne Bay.
Haven, need something in Herne Bay, for people to be fed, emotionally supported, clothes toiletries & washing facilities.
Maya’s Community was launched in 2022. I saw the Café and was instantly drawn to help. I became a volunteer in the Café and the Free Shop. I used the tools I gained from my past ie counselling and care work to help people.
Then I became a full-time volunteer and got promoted to a health and safety manager. I wanted to promote and support the Food Bank, mental health and food parcels. Maya’s is a friendly place to visit; it has a monthly job centre and a lot of outreach facilities to support the community.
When a person goes shopping at the supermarket, it is very kind and supportive if they donate a couple of long-life food items for Maya’s food bank.
There is a lot of generosity of money that is donated to keep the Food Bank going. We have a lot of support from various supermarkets, members of the public and charities who donate as well.
I also volunteer on the Office side. Filling in various forms, filling in for benefits, sick pay, pensions. Every penny helps!
Avril
My Story
My story will begin with the fact that I was born in Ukraine, graduated from school and three universities. After studying I opened my own travel agency and everything was fine, I loved my job, clients were grateful, I loved my friends, family and everything I had. Until the war came to our country. For obvious reasons, my work and my whole life stopped. After several days spent in a basement, I had to decide what to do, where to go for the safety of my child and me. It was hard, for a long time I could not accept and understand the fact that my life would never be the same. I went with my child to my parents in Azerbaijan, they were working there at the time, after staying there for a month, we went to a friend in Italy, our children were friends and I wanted to create a familiar atmosphere for myself and my daughter for some time … then I had to understand what to do next and after several moves we decided to go to England, since my cousin and her daughter were already there. We lived with a sponsor for half a year, for which we are very grateful. After that we rented a house in Herne Bay and then we moved into an empty house, I was looking for some furniture on Facebook and someone wrote to me in the comments to contact Maya. We immediately went to get acquainted, then Maya offered me to become a volunteer (I must say that I dreamed of being a volunteer – that’s how I got into Maya’s community, where you feel at home). Maya and her mother Olga are incredible people, whom I was lucky to meet. They have a huge heart and a lot of love for people. I feel support and understanding that we are not alone here. And I’m grateful to everyone I had the chance to meet at Maya’s community!
Katya
My Story
You came along dear
Mighty blue sky
Caught me in your arms near
You didn’t let me drift by
I’d gone with the fairies
Saving me from the prince who’d stolen my heart dear and left it in bits
Ouch
I couldn’t see any edges past my fingertips
you rolled me up gentle
I planted a kiss
You brought me to my senses sweet loving I’d missed
Our bodies are sensual
Letting go of my fears
Letting go
Letting go
Letting go of my fears
Amber
My Story
When I was a teenager, I got in with the wrong people. I lost everything including my family. I got help and I found love with a lady. Everything moved too fast. She got pregnant and we had a baby girl. We got our first flat together I thought that I hit the jackpot, then everything changed. She became controlling and threatened that if I didn’t get home right away, she would jump out the window. She started beating and abusing me. Our relationship fell apart. She stopped me seeing my daughter. I became depressed and suicidal.
I turned to the mental health for help. They didn’t help me so I started drinking. I was very low and lonely I drove to Maidstone. I lost control and hit a telegraph pole at 80mph. It was suicide. My car roof was cut off and was airlifted to a London hospital. I was in a coma for11 months. Everyone thought I would die. I broke my legs, my arms, I had brain surgery, half of my brain was damaged. They couldn’t fix it so they cut it out. I only got half a brain now and had heart bypass surgery. I also snapped my spine, had broken ribs and water on my brain The Doctors said I only had days to live.
Somehow, I recovered, but I am disabled. Now I have my lovely carer Julie, who I live with, and I’m getting my life back together at Maya’s. I have got new friends and with Maya’s I have found a big family. Volunteering has given me hope and given me my confidence back. I am slowly getting there. I have got a good network of people around me that I can ask for help. Being at Maya’s gives me warmth, comfort, support and understanding. I feel part of something wonderful. I’m happier than I have ever been. Volunteering at Maya’ makes me feel strong and more useful. That’s my story. Thanks for reading it.
Rob
Poverty Poem :
Sitting on the edge of society wondering why the homeless are not a priority.
Sleeping on the street not wanting to be alone.
Feeling vulnerable and without a safe place called home.
Walking around hungry & sad. Coldness is now in the air starting feel despair.
Faces weathered, their spirits worn, hope is but a dream.
Cries for help, often unheard and they are not seen.
broken hearts and fractured dreams
Is there help anywhere?
Mayas’s community hub where there is support, love and care.
Lets help those in poverty and ensure a better future
Treat each person that you meet with tender love and care, so life can feel a bit more equal and fair.
Liz
A Poem I have written about Life:
Life is a journey,
full of fun, laughter & pain.
We all have so much to learn & gain.
To sometimes be an anchor, source of hope of love & kindness to all family & friends. Also to strangers who are around.
Live a life that matters & help make a difference with your thoughts & aims.
So important to show tenderness & love.
Try to forgive & understand this complex world that twists & changes. For it will deliver to you delights abound.
Liz
I'm Bev, one of the directors at Maya's
I had to give up my business of 30 years due to a life limiting illness. I was just mourning the loss of my work and getting used to retirement when my husband of 40 years died of pancreatic cancer. I was without direction or purpose when I stumbled across Maya. I agreed to help support Ukrainian refugees for one hour per week. As they say the rest is history.
Working at Maya’s has reminded me of the tenacity of the human spirit and the power of humanity in action. Month after month I witness the resilience of those overcoming shocking traumas. Week after week I see those who have very little, reaching out to give to those with greater needs. Day after day I see the power of human kindness. Hourly, I am reminded of just how important free smiles and hugs are. I see how the power of people in action can literally save lives. I see people grow, development and blossom when they’re not judged and when they are given a chance. Together, without money we manage to provide 500 meals a day.
Almost every day, I am amazed and inspired by our wonderful volunteers. I am proud to work alongside such wonderful people. Many of us have our own challenges but together we are making pure magic happen.
Bev