I always tried to keep busy despite my disability – for example I have set up the website Jewish Disability Unite, but my friend told me about JVN and thought that volunteering would get me out the houses a bit more.

I met with Judy from JVN Gateway who interviewed me and completed her Skill Scan – to find out what I can, and can’t do. By identifying my skills like IT and writing and telephone communication, and working out my particular challenges, for example, wheelchair access is a must for me; it was much easier to find volunteering opportunities to suit.

After some searching Judy found a placement at the Jewish Military Museum – which I never would have heard of - working with my carer to transcribe World War One letters from the Front home so that schools can use them as a learning resource. It is so satisfying, exciting and very worthwhile. I really value the support and friendship of all the staff and how they have made allowances for me for hospital appointments or if I am feeling unwell. They also worked with CST to specially organise wheelchair access for their building.

Volunteering has widened my horizons giving me a reason to get up in the morning. It’s very easy when you have a disability to not get out of the house: now I mix with a wider circle of people and get to put something back into the Community in the process. I can honestly say that Gateway volunteering has transformed my life and other disabled people should follow.