At Matthew’s House, volunteering is never just about filling a role. It’s about people growing, confidence building, and discovering what is possible when someone is believed in. One recent volunteer journey captures this beautifully.
When this volunteer first joined Matthew’s House, they were quiet, thoughtful, and happy to help wherever needed. They took on the small tasks with care and consistency, doing the behind-the-scenes jobs faithfully and well. From the beginning, there was a strong sense of reliability and heart, even if they did not yet recognise their own potential.
Over time, that began to change.
As they became more settled within the team, confidence started to grow. They became a trusted and familiar presence across multiple areas of the project, always willing to learn and support others. With encouragement and guidance from team leaders, they began to take on more responsibility in the kitchen, first assisting closely, then preparing individual dishes with support.
In recent weeks, that growth has been clear to see.
This volunteer is now regularly cooking meals on a service day and has stepped into running the kitchen when needed. What makes this moment so special is not just the practical skill involved, but the confidence that has developed alongside it. There is ownership, assurance, and a growing sense of leadership.
One of the team leaders reflected:
“They’ve been absolutely chuffed over the last couple of weeks as they’ve taken on more cooking responsibility. The growth in confidence has been incredible – from needing full direction when they first started, to cooking independently and now asking to run the kitchen.”
This is the kind of journey we treasure at Matthew’s House.
Not only has this volunteer flourished in their role, they have become a boost to others around them. They bring calm, encouragement, and stability into the space, helping services run smoothly while contributing to the welcoming, supportive atmosphere that defines our community.
Stories like this remind us why investing in people matters. When someone is given time, trust, and support, confidence grows. Skills develop. Leadership emerges. And the whole community is strengthened.
We are deeply proud of this journey, not just because someone stepped up, but because of how they did it: steadily, courageously, and with heart.
This is what Matthew’s House is about. Creating space for people to grow. Believing in potential. And celebrating the quiet moments that turn into confident leadership.