
How We've Helped
Supporting people is in our nature. Here's a selection of stories from community members who've been helped by our work. From volunteering support, providing a voice, and identifying need, Amdani exists to bring grassroots support to the places people make
Maisie's Story
Maisie, a 72-year-old mother of four and grandmother to eleven, attended a felting
session that we held as part of an engagement exercise. Living alone, she was
seeking something to alleviate her boredom and isolation.
Although initially shy, Maisie soon opened up, sharing her life story and the
challenges her family faced. It became evident that she is the matriarch, keeping
track of all her children and grandchildren.
During our conversation, Maisie revealed that she was struggling to heat her home
and pay her energy bills, leading her to cut back on food and other essentials. We
arranged for her to return and speak privately with one of our staff members. During
this meeting, we conducted a benefit calculation, applied for pension credit and assisted her in addressing her electricity bill arrears.
The following week, Maisie returned to take advantage of our free tea and coffee,
spending time in our community space reading a book from our selection. She
continued to share her concerns, mentioning her daughter's job search and her
grandson's desire to become a sole trader but not knowing how to proceed. We invited them to our work clubs and, over a couple of months, helped both secure their preferred employment.
Maisie began visiting our office regularly, participating in various activities. One day,
she expressed interest in volunteering. We discussed the different roles available,
and she chose to join the Green Gym team. Maisie has been incredible, taking charge
and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently while actively contributing herself. Her energy and enthusiasm have been an inspiration, even putting some younger volunteers to shame. Since joining, Maisie has participated in several community clean-up projects and helped install raised beds and benches in a village community area. She often brought along family members and even persuaded passersby to join in. We have occasionally provided her with food parcels and snacks for volunteers during lunchtime, making it all worthwhile.
Maisie now reports a significant boost in her confidence, saying that she sleeps
better due to the physical activity, and that she enjoys the social interaction. Her
financial situation has improved thanks to our intervention, and we continue to
support her family with various issues, from housing to employment.
Maisie's story exemplifies the positive impact our organization can have on
individuals and their families. Through our support and activities, we help people like
Maisie overcome challenges, build confidence, and improve their overall well-being.
Our commitment to the community remains steadfast as we strive to make a
difference in the lives of those we serve.
(Name changed to protect the individual’s privacy)
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