Volunteer empowers people to be proud of who they are

Jo Germon has volunteered with Recovery Cymru for 4 years. Recovery Cymru is a peer-led, mutual-aid, recovery community in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan that empowers people to achieve and maintain recovery while supporting others to do the same. All the activities are community-led. Together, they empower and support each other to enter and move forward in recovery; to develop skills and interests and to improve quality of life.

Jo has gone above and beyond volunteering with Recovery Cymru this year. She has stepped in to help out on many occasions and has been pivotal in providing reception cover, allowing the organisation to reopen its doors post Covid 19 pandemic after delivering online for over 2 years. Jo is a real advocate for recovery, showing people that recovery is not only possible, but that it is fun and she always has a kind word for members and her cheerful outlook makes people feel welcome. She notices if people appear not quite themselves and actively informs staff of any concerns so that they can follow up with the person.

In addition to manning reception, Jo facilitates groups, online and in person, offers one to one support to members and ensures that the centre is a clean, safe space where members and visitors feel comfortable. Jo lives and breathes the recovery Cymru philosophy, recognising that recovery is an individual process rather than one size fits all and will go out of her way to ensure that support given works for the person. This person centred is part of the reason the organisation is held in such high regard.

Jo works hard to break down barriers that people with substance use issues face such as stigma and discrimination, empowering people to be proud of who they are and to be proud of what they have achieved and will gladly share her own experiences with others to give them hope for their own futures.

Jo is always reliable, always ready to help out and displays empathy and compassion at all times. Always encouraging and motivating and really does prove that life after substances can be wonderful. She is a real inspiration and we feel lucky to have Jo as part of our team.

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