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Volunteer journey into employment – Health & Safety Advisor, John Doherty

Why did you become a volunteer?

I first started looking for opportunities to gain experience when I decided to change my career. I had suffered a life-changing injury that meant I knew I didn’t have a long-term future as a gas installation engineer. Whilst rehabilitating, I saw firsthand how the medical staff enjoyed their job roles and I got to know the challenges they faced, so I decided to look for a career where I could help others, protect people somehow, and generally give something back.

I decided that a career in health and safety would satisfy my ambitions and would also not be an insurmountable jump from my previous heating engineering role. However, I knew I would need a stepping stone to make this transition in my career.  

To prepare, I attended college to study for a NEBOSH national general certificate but found myself in the ‘inexperience trap’ when I started applying for jobs. I knew being proactive was the best option so I began looking for volunteering opportunities to bridge the gap and make myself more employable. 


What did you enjoy most about volunteering?

Initially, I enjoyed meeting new people who were clearly passionate about their roles, and I enjoyed the challenge of being well out of my comfort zone. I like working in an environment that promotes positivity so when I started to deliver training at Westfield Farm it was great to meet other volunteers and hear their stories and reasons for volunteering – that became and remains something I look forward to.

Ultimately, I loved volunteering because it allowed me to realise my ambition of developing my career in health and safety. At the same time, I enjoyed giving back to the community whilst gaining new skills – and not just skills you might associate with the role of health and safety advisors!


How has volunteering helped you? 

Volunteering was a major factor in my successful career change. I currently hold the position of Health & Safety Advisor (Gas Safety & Quality Assurance) here at Beyond Housing. This is a role where I can realise my health and safety ambitions whilst drawing on the skills and experience I gained during my time as a gas engineer.  

Volunteering helped me acquire valuable real-life experience that meant I could navigate through a successful job interview with confidence and self-belief.  

I feel fortunate that I was in a position to self-fund my qualifications, but volunteering was how I gained the evidence required to complete a Level 6 Diploma in Health & Safety Management. I learned IT skills, and how to present to my colleagues, all of which in turn increased my self-confidence significantly. 

Without volunteering I don’t see how I could have succeeded in making my career transition. Volunteering has truly allowed me to realise my ambition of working in the health and safety profession, supporting colleagues in the prevention of experiencing injury or harm at work.