Hear directly from Maxence, who volunteered with Habitat ReStore through the European Solidarity Corps programme.
The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme has been immensely positive for Habitat, and for the communities we serve through Habitat ReStores and our House to Home programme. Volunteers from across Europe provide hands on help for local people and the programme offers an enriching experience for the young people as well as our staff team and other local volunteers.
We asked Maxence, who volunteered in Habitat ReStore Ballymena this year, to tell us about his experience.
I have been volunteering since 17th March 2022. I had the opportunity to have a gap year so I wanted to use it to help a good cause and improve my English at the same time. I wanted the time to be helpful for people and me too.
Every day is different and every day I feel I am being helpful. I can see how Habitat helps people.
I enjoy interacting with other people. I am friendly and enjoy having a laugh. I like working as part of a team.
Being a part of Habitat’s House to Home programme – working alongside the family and see why the house improvements are so important.
To be open minded. To be able to speak to everyone. To work alongside people with different backgrounds. My English has improved too, I am now more confident in myself.
I never worked in a store before so I had no expectations. ReStore is not like a shop, it is a community of people who help those both locally and internationally. ReStore is a special place and has a special place in my heart.
I really enjoyed the OCN accredited training in Retail Business, as it provided me with knowledge to work more effectively in the store.
My fellow volunteer James Smylie because he is always happy and positive and I have enjoyed communicating with him and fostering our friendship.
Here in ReStore you can see the impact that Habitats work has on the world, locally and internationally.
