Volunteer Case Studies
Contents
Geoff's story - Helpline volunteer
Helpline During Covid
How long have you been a volunteer at the BDA?
8 years
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Helping people with the huge ranges of challenges which come with being dyslexic.
Describe a typical volunteer session prior to March 2020?
Spending time answering queries on phone and via email. Talking to colleagues and exchanging information.
During the first lockdown, the British Dyslexia Association was unable to operate its Helpline. How do you think that would have affected the people who would normally have used the service?
This meant that there was nowhere for people to seek assistance for their queries or problems leading to them feeling progressively more frustrated and this would have had an impact on people’s mental health.
How has your role changed since the Helpline reopened?
I am now able to work from home, however, the responsibilities and commitment remain the same.
How do you see the role of the British Dyslexia Association Helpline as we move forwards into a world where so many things are changing, in particular working from home and the experiences of school children and students over the last 12 months?
Flexibility of working remotely from home is increasingly important for volunteers, students and people in work. Continued training of volunteers in new trends and software tools must be maintained as people seek advice for their evolving circumstances.
We need to ensure volunteers are made aware of latest help and dyslexic related aids and news.
What are the advantages of the new systems which the British Dyslexia Association has put into place?
Flexibility of being able to work from alternative workplace.