This Volunteer Week 2026, we want to tell the story of a member of Yellow Door’s team, Sam. Sam started at Yellow Door by undertaking her voluntary Counselling Placement in March 2023, and in Feb 2024 she went on to become one of our Sessional Counsellors. We spoke to Sam about her experience of volunteering.
“It felt like I was coming home with how friendly and welcoming the place was”
Sam told us that she heard about Yellow Door from her lecturer whilst studying CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
“The way they spoke about it, the work and the organisation, got me intrigued as it felt like the type of work I wanted to be a part of.”
Sam explained that when she began her placement, she was eager to start with as many clients as she could, but she says “in hindsight, the pace Yellow Door set was perfect.“
“I was treated like a qualified Counsellor with independence in how I ran and planned sessions, but there was support ready to help at every step. This was a good balance and helped me when working with my own clients in the future. The office is so supportive, it’s a great place to share and pick up from everyone around you, feeling like you belong. It’s very good at bolstering your spirits, helping pick you up from your lows. Everyone is made to feel welcome and a part of the team from the very beginning.
In the early days, I found client questionnaires were key to building my self-belief and confidence. I could see how clients were responding to the sessions and whether they were feeling better in themselves.
I learnt through Yellow Door’s supervision that I can’t fix it all, and I don’t need to. Sometimes just holding the space for a client to be safe and themselves is enough. I learnt to become less judgemental of myself.
I will always look back at my first client as the beginning of all the hard work falling into place. I was nervous, but had a good support network around me to remind me what I’m doing and why.“
Sam mentioned that she spoke to another counsellor when beginning her placement, who explained her own journey to from Volunteer Counsellor to becoming a Sessional Counsellor. “She helped me feel like I belong at Yellow Door. My own switch from volunteer to sessional was so seamless, I haven’t looked back since. Without hesitation I would recommend Yellow Door to anyone. Everyone is important here and everyone is valued which makes it a great place to be involved in.“
“It’s important to me to see the benefit the work has on people, and you have the opportunity to give back and make a difference at Yellow Door.”
We’re so proud of Sam for the work she’s put in and of how far she’s come. Volunteers are essential to Yellow Door and we could not do what we do without them.