Meet Ellie 👋

Ellie, 23, is a third-year psychology and counselling at Abertay University. This is her story of volunteering with TCA.

I first heard about Tayside Council on Alcohol (TCA) a year ago, when I was researching volunteer options in Dundee. I have always known I wanted to work in mental health, and I was looking for ways to gain experience in the sector. When I came across the role of Youth Mentoring Service volunteer at TCA online on Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action’s website, I thought it sounded like the perfect opportunity.

The service supports vulnerable young people in Dundee who are affected by someone else’s substance use. After successfully completing my application, I was paired up with a 15-year-old girl in Dundee whose family has been affected by drug and alcohol use. Since then, we have met once a week to go over her goals, explore what she wants from life and work on prioritising her time.
We often go for coffee, where we sometimes use workbooks to focus on developing her conversational skills and building self-confidence. We also make space for fun activities that encourage her to get out of the house and try new things. Sometimes that’s bowling, going for a walk, going out for food, or simply exploring new experiences that interest her. The role has been incredibly rewarding on personal level – as well as professionally.
Shortly after becoming a volunteer with TCA, I landed a job working as a support worker for Scottish Autism.

There is no doubt that the volunteer role played a key part in helping me achieve this. The experience I have gained supporting someone to work towards personal goals was particularly valuable, and something my employer was clearly looking for during the recruitment process. I’m so glad I became a volunteer with TCA. While it can sometimes be challenging to balance alongside my studies and job, it aligns closely with my goals and what I want to do in life, which keeps me motivated.