Harry's Story: Building career confidence through volunteering 

Harry finished university this year and moved home, uncertain about his next steps. He visited the Job centre who recommended he try volunteering, so he chose to join the Spark iT Digital Café in Bridgwater.

"I use a computer all the time, so I thought it was a good fit," Harry explains. "It's been a good way to get my confidence up. Each week I speak to someone new and I've got something to talk to them about."

Harry helps with everything from sorting out SIM cards and Facebook accounts to council tax queries. "Sometimes it's very specific questions, but mostly it's standard to me. Everything today is online, which is very difficult for some people but really simple for me. I just hope I can help everyone learn."

As well as supporting others, the experience has meant Harry feels ready to find employment.

"I have more confidence speaking to people. I went straight through school, college, university, and coming here and volunteering makes me more ready for work. It's meeting new people in a new environment. It's hard to find a job and I'm doing everything I can, but now I'm not avoiding things. I've had a fresh start. I'm talking to people and I want to carry on doing it."

If you would like to volunteer as a Digital Champion like Harry, click the link below to see the current opportunities on the Spark iT profile page.