How did you feel about winning the warehouse volunteer of the year award?
I was very happy and surprised. It is amazing for me.
Can you share a bit about yourself and your background?
I am 35 years old. I studied mechanical engineering during my university education. I had two jobs while I was living in Iran, one working as a lorry driver for a few years and then as a plumber.
How long have you been volunteering at FareShare and why did you decide to start?
I have been working as a volunteer for fourteen months. One of my moral qualities is that if I am at a stage where I am unemployed, I always like to be able to do something useful in society and be a positive influence to help others.
What does your role involve?
Making up the orders for both ambient and chilled items according to the picking list for the customer’s needs. I organise the arrangement of starter packs and sorting of the warehouse. I am a forklift driver which means I load and unload the deliveries. I also get to work on my own and as part of a team which I like.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with FareShare?
I am very happy here in my role and enjoy the fact that I get to work with a great team and have made many friends and colleagues in FareShare. I am also very happy that I am participating in charity work and to know that I am making a difference helping others.
Have you learnt any skills since volunteering with FareShare?
I have learned many skills including preparing orders for ambient and chilled food and storing and organising things in the warehouse. I also have the knowledge and experience of how everything works in FareShare.
One of the most important things I have learnt is being a forklift driver which I went on a training course for and gained my counterbalance forklift license. Learning all of these things has made me more confident.
What is one thing people may not know about volunteering at FareShare?
It really makes one feel good when you volunteer, knowing you are helping people. We are always in a friendly group. In my opinion, working voluntarily and in charity work is a love or a lifestyle and it gives you a good feeling. That is why most of the time I volunteer for FareShare five days in a working week.
How has volunteering made a difference in your life?
In this world of ours, everything is love and the one who does something with love, it will definitely change their life. I always thank God for putting FareShare on my life path.
What has been your memorable experience so far?
Getting to know the system of storing and maintaining all different types of food, driving a forklift, plus doing great teamwork.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about joining FareShare as a volunteer?
If you want to experience the good feeling of being useful and a positive person in society, you should join here. You will always be well and make new friends, plus you’ll experience a new lifestyle. Volunteering at FareShare is definitely the best choice to make.
I would like to say thank you to all my friends who are working in FareShare, both employees and volunteers: Siobhan, Declan, Sean, Roisin, Mary, Robin, Maureen, Danny, Greg, Andrea, David, Alison, Louise, Sam, Jim, Chris, Conor and the rest of my friends.
