Dorca's journey as Volunteer
A cup of care: finding belonging through service-Dorca's journey
What began as a desire to give back has unfolded into a journey of healing, connection, and voice. Through the simple act of serving tea, Dorcas found a way to offer joy — and in return, discovered what it means to belong.
I arrived shy, feeling I had no experience. Yet, through being a volunteer, a found a new version of myself.
For the past few years, Dorcas has been a gentle and steady presence in our MumSpace groups. She first came with a simple intention: to be helpful, to give back to her community, and to offer her presence to others. In the beginning, she was quiet—shy, soft-spoken, unsure of how much space she could take. But something shifted. Through the rhythm of weekly gatherings, the trust built in new relationships, and the slow unfolding that community allows, Dorcas began to find her voice.
She discovered her own unique way of holding space: in the kitchen, pouring tea, offering “little sips of joy,” as she likes to say. These small acts became her language of care—an offering that helped others feel seen and welcomed. In return, she found something too: healing, connection, and the safety to share her own journey.
“I feel very happy to meet a community where we all come together regardless of colour, language or background.
We share, we hug, we smile. This is everything for me.”
Over time, Dorcas has found the courage to speak openly about her mental health, breaking silences she once carried alone. Volunteering at Parent Action has given her more than a role—it’s given her a sense of belonging, new joy, and renewed hope.
“I don’t need to keep it all for myself anymore. I realised I don’t need to be fearful. In community,
every act of kindness contributes to our wellness.
I look forward to MumSpace every week; to see lovely people, and to feel loved back.”
Reflections on Dorca's volunteering experience:
Dorcas’s journey reminds us that leadership comes in many forms: sometimes it’s found in words, and sometimes in a quiet presence and a cup of tea served with presence, intention and joy. At Parent Action, we believe that when people are welcomed with care and trust, they begin to grow into their fullest selves. Dorcas shows us that healing is possible in spaces where kindness is reciprocal, and where every person matters.
“Volunteering has given me a new sense of hope. I came to offer support, and I found a place where I, too, could heal, speak, and grow.”
— Dorcas, Parent Action Volunteer