VOLUNTEER WITH US
Waltham Forest Women’s Network (WFWN) is run by volunteers. We are always looking for more local women to be involved. There are various ways in which you can help.
Benefits of Volunteering include:
Improved wellbeing
Gaining new skills and experiences
Increased socialization
Decreased Loneliness
Building of Self-Esteem and Confidence
Gaining a sense of purpose
Giving back to the community
Make a difference in others lives
Read the Stories of some of our Volunteers
Farah’s Volunteering Story
“Before I joined WFWN, I felt isolated, lonely and overwhelmed with being a stay at home mum, who was also new to the area. WFWN allowed me to use my skills again and empowered me back to existence”
I began my journey with Waltham Forest Women’s Network (WFWN) over a decade ago.
Whilst growing up, going through college, university and work I perceived myself as a confident and outspoken person. However, as a mother of two toddlers, and new to Waltham Forest, I felt quite the opposite. Being a stay at home mother, was not the easiest journey, especially having been used to studying and working all the time. As a scientist, specialising in Neuroscience, I loved being challenged, however, when I became a mother, my life had just stopped which came as a shock.
Feeling overwhelmed with two young children and not having a support network around me, left me spending most of my days at home. After I discovered SureStart, I began to take the children to play groups almost daily. I made friends and started to connect with the community around me.
What a wonderful and inspiring community it was and still remains to be.
Soon after having my second daughter, I began volunteering for a community project and presented to WFWN on how I would improve the health and wellbeing of parents and children at the local primary school. The School and WFWN was very impressed and gave me the role as a sessional worker to deliver some sessions at the local primary school.
From then on, I grew to love this wonderful network of women that empowered me back to existence. This was 10 years ago. Since then, I have achieved so much and I believe the fuel to my successes are attributed to working voluntarily with WFWN and the women of Waltham Forest. Even now, as a mother of three, working two jobs, I continue to work with them. Starting off as a sessional worker, then a committee member, progressing to the Secretary, Vice-Chair, and now the Chair I always felt so motivated and supported along my journey.
This journey has also taught me lessons along the way. It hasn’t always been easy managing relationships within a voluntary group and motivation can be very low amongst individuals as can confidence and self-esteem.
Outside of WFWN, I work as an Assistant Trial Manager for a clinical trial looking into Postnatal depression and as a part-time Social Prescriber in Waltham Forest helping patients to improve their health and wellbeing.
However, as exhausting as it can get, I always look forward to meeting with the network, planning events and being part of such a wholesome group of women.
Farah (bottom left) handing the WFWN Hampers to careworkers during the 2020 lockdown.
Being in my 2nd year as Chair, I am looking forward to taking WFWN into a new, and exciting phase. With many committed committee members, with dedicated roles, we have ensured we are constantly keeping up-beat.
To all the women who feel low in confidence, I’d like to say: Never underestimate the power of volunteering and working for your community!
Nadine preparing the hampers for the careworkers organised by WFWN during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nadire’s Volunteering Story
“Leading a project for WFWN was an empowering experience”
After attending the MacMillan Cancer Support Fundraiser and seeing the great work they do for the women in the borough, I joined WFWN. I felt very welcomed by all the members as they made me feel a part of their team from the moment I joined.
Being able to lead on the WFWN 2020 'Hamper to Pamper' Project for WF Care Home staff, was an empowering experience as it was such a huge success. Having a great response to the fundraising appeal, which helped raise £2105. This was above our predicted target of £2,000. Collaborating with other organisations, we presented beautiful, handmade red hearts, as well as individual, pamper hampers to 200 carer workers at several care homes across the borough. The feedback received was fantastic.
Receiving the Valiant Volunteer Award at the SHE Awards for the second year running was a truly special moment for me as I was recognised for all the voluntary and charity I have been involved with for the past two decades. Being on stage amongst truly courageous and inspirational women was an honour for me. It’s truly a great feeling to hear women say that I’m an inspiration to them.
Saiba’s Volunteering Story
“I had no idea of what I was capable of,
until I started volunteering for WFWN. ”
Taking the plunge, I decided to go for the role of Social Media and Marketing Lead at our last Annual General Meeting (AGM). It has been a joy helping to create stronger links with many local organisations and businesses within the borough of Waltham Forest through the ‘power’ of social media. Using the key social media outlets, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, I have created a stable network of followers who engage with our posts. This has taught me so much and developed my own skills.
The part of this role I enjoy the most is promoting and sharing the work of local business and initiatives and sharing uplifting quotes.
I have also had a key role in designing our banners and information leaflets was empowering and it made me realise, I don’t know what I am capable of unless I try.
Saiba working as a Volunteers Coordinator at one of WFWN events.