Moving to a brand-new city where you don’t know a soul can be incredibly daunting. That was exactly the challenge Isla faced when she arrived in Edinburgh. Looking for a way to meet like-minded people and find a sense of belonging, she joined us as a Community Programme participant, particularly getting involved in our community befriending activities.
From the very start, Isla brought such a warm energy to the team. She found that giving her time to the programme was a fantastic way to boost her mental well-being; it gave her a structured activity that allowed her to set aside outside worries and focus on making a tangible difference. She quickly became part of the family, making several good friends while enjoying the “good chats and welcoming atmosphere where no question was ever considered silly”.
While Isla didn’t consider herself a “techie” at first, she jumped right into the teamwork. She bonded with the regular team members while learning the ropes of wiping computers and preparing donations for shipment. She loved knowing that even a small contribution was helping to change a child’s education while also keeping electronics out of landfills.
We are absolutely thrilled for Isla because her renewed confidence has led to her starting full-time employment as a Court Officer at The Sheriff’s Court! While we will miss her presence in the workshop during the week, we are so proud of the confidence and technical skills she built during her time with us.
As Isla says to anyone thinking of joining the programme: “It’s definitely worth it!”
