Sandi Eaton Richards

Sandi Eaton Richards Personal Volunteering Story

It was September 2015 and I had become so upset about the stories of refugees drowning on the shores of Europe or walking thousands of miles with no shoes to get to Calais, I’d switched off. I wasn’t listening to reports on the news or looking at facebook because I couldn’t handle the feelings of guilt and impotency that they brought up. My personal life was in a mess and I did not have the energy to drive a van to Calais. What could I do? Whilst walking locally with a friend I heard that another friend was ‘saving the world’. I asked how and was told about the refugee aid collection centre in Flint. Getting home I immediately packed up all the stuff I had waiting to be sold or taken to a charity shop and headed for the collection centre. I stayed for a couple of hours packing aid boxes and went back everyday that week. There were dozens of people there just like me – wanting to do something. Aid was pouring in. We were not just supporting the refugees – we were providing a vehicle for local people to contribute and know that they were making a real difference. Six months later I was in the Calais jungle for a week being a volunteer on the ground. I had been empowered to realise that I could make a difference. Meeting like minded people that had volunteered in Greece and France had me see that I could do it too. Point me in the right direction. Since then I have been to Greece volunteering and Calais several times, taking new volunteers with me to pass on the knowledge. And I am still working with local organisations packing and sending aid. My volunteering has been a journey in itself – I have learnt so much. My initial ‘need’ to help got me there and I am clear that it is a two way experience. I know that my volunteering will always be as much for me as it is for those I support, but my need to help should not result in creating dependence of those I support. I have learnt that dignified aid is crucial – and I am constantly assessing whether the support I am providing is dignified or dependance creating. Refugees I have met have been generous and kind to me in my learning journey and that is a testament to the two way experience.