Our Stories

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Leanne's Story

After experiencing personal trauma Leanne Murphy has been recovering from depression and anxiety. Volunteering at the centre was her first daunting step back into the community - “I knew from the interview it would be ok, they made me feel safe from the beginning.” Even so she was extremely anxious on her first day at WMVNC 12 months ago.

Leanne felt the role as VSO (volunteer support officer) in Recruitment was right for her. The role involves recruiting, interviewing and selecting volunteers for the various programs in the centre as well as being part of the Management Committee and HR Sub-Committee – “the hardest part was learning to be comfortable and confident in my own skin.”

Leanne believes telling your story is empowering and it also helps others. She speaks openly of her days before she started volunteering – on the couch in front of the tv, reluctant to venture into the community, crippled by her anxiety and depression and yet, 12 months on, she is beginning to feel work ready. She has studied a diploma in community services and now also volunteers with ‘Story Dogs’ – a reading support program designed to improve the literacy skills of children using accredited dogs.

Her experience of safety and support at the centre has enabled positive reconnections to the community. She is accepted and heard and understood.

“Volunteers are supported and appreciated. This positively changes the way you think about yourself.”
Leanne’s personal experience with trauma brings empathy to her role - “the often crippling mental and physical trauma that people come here with, this is their first step back into community. The centre offers them the safety and flexibility they need – it might just be coming for one hour, meeting people in the car park if they’re too nervous to come in, staying by their side as they take those first steps. We know how important that is.”

Leanne says it is rare that volunteer applicants are declined but - “it is important that we choose those who can work in and part of a team – there is no “I” in team”. This is why the Woodcroft Morphett Vale Community Centre continues to be a caring and inclusive environment.

Now that Leanne is off the couch, in between her volunteer roles and studies she enjoys hiking – “I love nature” – animals, meditation and yoga. And she loves music; in fact she is a big Taylor Swift fan.