Meet Jaclyn
“Seeing the young person start to come out of their shell, especially after being really shy, means the world to me.”
Meet Jaclyn, one of our wonderful one-to-one befrienders who recently re-joined COVEY after a 10-year break, and is already changing lives again!
About ten years ago, Jaclyn began her COVEY journey as a one-to-one befriender, but life and work commitments meant she had to step back for a while. Still, the experience stayed with her.
“It’s something I always wanted to do again. I finally reached a place where I had the time to give again. I knew I wanted to do one-to-one befriending again, that’s where my heart is.”
Now, three months into her return, Jaclyn is already creating special memories with the young person she supports.
“The best moments are when we do something they’ve never done before, even simple things like going to a museum or trying a new activity. These might seem small to us, but for them, they’re huge! Those moments make me really excited.”
Jaclyn finds her role at COVEY rewarding, particularly when she sees the young people making progress every week.
“Seeing them start to come out of their shell, especially after being really shy, means the world to me. When they start suggesting things they’d like to do, it shows how comfortable they’re becoming and that’s just amazing.”
Whilst Jaclyn gains a lot from her experience as a volunteer, she reflects on some of the challenges, remembering how the first few meetings with the young person can be a bit daunting, especially when building trust with someone shy or unsure.
“The initial stage of getting to know a young person has been the most difficult. I’ve learned that patience is everything. Taking things at their pace helps them slowly but surely gain confidence, and that’s so lovely to watch.”
But these challenges don’t phase Jaclyn, as she recognises the importance of her role and how seemingly small actions can have a great impact.
“Even if I’ve had a long day or don’t have much energy, I remind myself that our time together might be the only chance they get to go out or interact with others that week. That time can make a massive difference to their confidence, mental health, and even their outlook on life.”
For Jaclyn, befriending is more than just giving a few hours, it’s about creating moments that truly matter.
“It’s such a simple concept, but it can have a huge impact on a young person’s development and confidence and it’s fun! I work full-time and still volunteer a few hours after work, but those hours mean so much to both of us. It’s something we both look forward to every week.”
After returning to COVEY, Jacyln’s compassion and patience are once again helping a young person discover new experiences, build confidence, and simply enjoy being young, proof that even a few hours a week can change a life.