One of our recent volunteers has written about his experience of working at Trojan Mailing:
Being unemployed at the age of 60 is not the best thing in life, and with the market place more dependant on the younger workforce, it’s not easy to occupy yourself.
Two years ago I was allocated a work experience placement with a company called Trojan Mailing in Southampton. The idea was to give me experience of working in an everyday working environment.
When the six month placement finished in May 2016, the company very kindly gave me a glowing reference, with the offer of returning as a volunteer in the future.
Work experience placements are not the Job Centre’s strongest point – all they could offer was work in charity shops…hardly an enlightening experience. So much so, I decided to volunteer back at Trojan Mailing in November 2016. The guys in charge, Carlton and Craig, welcomed me back, and I began providing administrative support.
This entailed scanning and photocopying documents, creating files, and putting the documents into those files. This was in addition to helping the guys out on a day to day basis with their workload. The return to Trojan co-incided with a move to new premises in Southampton.
The fellow workers at Trojan were ones I had known before, so I quickly fitted in. Work was varied, but with a superb workforce, it was always – and still is – very, very enjoyable.
Added to that, the social occasions organised by Carlton and Craig very much appreciated – a Christmas party for one – and an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself in very good company.
Volunteering at Trojan has also opened new horizons for me – contact with the City Council’s Employment Service led to going the Wheatsheaf Trust in Southampton.
They opened new horizons to me regarding job applications, CV layout, and introduced new employability techniques. Their help has even led me to having more interviews in the past six months than I have had in the previous year.
I enjoy volunteering with Trojan because it occupies my day, I can do my job search, and I meet interesting people who can help me as well.
Everyone at Trojan – especially Carlton and Craig – are to be congratulated o letting me volunteer, because keeping your mind and body active at my age is essentially vital if you are unemployed and over 60. It helps to learn, and is beneficial in offsetting depression, which can lead to dementia – and that is not very nice.
I may be turned 60, but thanks to Trojan, my mind and brain is half that age. I recommend volunteering to anyone.
Thanks to Carlton, Craig, and all the staff at Trojan. The best year I have had in years.
