Ashu’s Journey
Discover Ashu’s story at Birches Grove, a man with a learning disability who’s regained purpose through volunteering.
With support from staff at Birches Grove, Ashu explored a range of local volunteering opportunities that aligned with his interests and comfort level. The team helped him identify suitable roles, accompanied him on visits to potential placements, and supported him through the application process. This led to a successful placement at a nearby hospice, where Ashu now volunteers each week.
Ashu lives at Priory Birches Grove, a residential home in Lydney, Gloucestershire. Since moving into the service, Ashu has worked closely with the occupational therapy team to identify personal goals. Initially, one of the key aspirations Ashu spoke about was his desire to return to volunteering. Having previously taken part in community work, Ashu was eager to regain the sense of purpose, structure, and fulfilment that volunteering had once given him.
The staff at Birches Grove took the time to listen to Ashu’s story, understand his motivations, and help him build a clear plan to work towards this goal. They explored with him the types of volunteering roles that would suit his interests and comfort level, as well as which environments he would feel most confident in. The team then began researching opportunities in the local area and accompanied Ashu to visit different organisations that welcomed volunteers.
One such opportunity arose at Great Oaks Hospice, a local charity that provides palliative and end-of-life care. The hospice offers a range of volunteer roles designed to support their work while helping individuals develop skills and confidence. Ashu was immediately drawn to the warm, supportive atmosphere and was excited about the possibility of being part of a team again.
Staff supported Ashu through the entire application process, including helping him complete forms and prepare for initial conversations with the team at Great Oaks. They also made sure he had the right support in place to travel to and from the hospice, which helped him prepare for his first day by talking through what to expect.
Ashu was delighted when he was offered a volunteer position. He now attends the hospice once a week, where he carries out tasks that contribute to the smooth running of the service. The staff at the hospice have welcomed him as part of the team, and Ashu has quickly settled into his new role. He has said that volunteering again has given him a real sense of achievement, and he’s proud to be making a difference.
“It makes me feel like I’m doing something important again,” Ashu shared. “I didn’t think I would get this chance, but the staff here helped me every step of the way. I’m really happy.”
The team at Birches Grove are equally proud of Ashu’s progress and continue to support him in maintaining this opportunity. They remain in close contact with the hospice team to ensure Ashu has everything he needs to succeed in his role. This achievement is a testament to the person-centred approach at Birches Grove, where staff work alongside each individual to help them reach their goals – no matter how big or small.
Ashu’s story highlights how personalised support, encouragement, and community partnerships can come together to help people with learning disabilities live fulfilling, meaningful lives.