Vivian Bani-Owiafe is a carer for her son who has Global Development Delay. She first came into contact with VOCAL in 2019, after seeing our Carers’ Hub sign on Leith Walk opposite her local bank, and is now part of our volunteer team!
Vivian was receiving support and advice from one of VOCAL’s partners, the Action Group, through their BEMAS service, but it took her a little while to identify as a carer. She explains:
“I looked across the road and saw the VOCAL sign and saw the word ‘carers’. I went into the centre and read some of their leaflets at the entrance. I took them home and went to the internet to read more about being a carer. I didn’t realise that this was me, and I realised that VOCAL was the place for me. It was what I needed.”
Vivian registered with VOCAL and received support from Tammy, one of our Carer Support Practitioners. Vivian adds:
“The support I got from VOCAL changed my life. Tammy is an amazing lady and I’m so happy she could help. Tammy asked me if I’d ever thought about volunteering, and I decided that it could help me.”
Vivian started volunteering with VOCAL in 2022 supporting our Edinburgh team on reception. If you call or email VOCAL, it might be Vivian that you speak to! She supports VOCAL weekly and has been a fantastic help to our admin team.
Vivian describes how volunteering has helped her:
“I decided to volunteer to help my mental health and improve my confidence. I found it really motivated me and helped my stress levels too. I’m really happy volunteering with VOCAL and it’s helped me a lot. My friend told me ‘You’ve got life’ and I told her, yes that’s because I’m at VOCAL!”