Motherwell College – Ozanam Club

The Ozanam Club in Motherwell provides a caring social environment for young people between the ages of 5 and 19 with disabilities and special needs. The Ozanam Club organises outings, parties, games, painting, music etc., for these young people, thus providing respite for parents and carers.

Nicola Radigan, a student at Motherwell College, has worked as a volunteer with the Azanam Club since November 2010.  “I feel that I have helped the organisation by giving the children a stable volunteer who they can confide in and feel safe around. The Ozanam club works very hard to make sure that all of their volunteers are kind, caring and always have the best intentions of the children in mind. I feel like I fit these criteria and have helped to keep the club going. We are a large group of volunteers, some senior members and some who haven’t been here very long, like me.  Together we work to create a fun, calm environment for the children.”

“Working with the Ozanam Club has been one of the best experiences of my life so far.  The Ozanam group has made a safe haven for the children for a few hours every Monday evening where they can just play and socialise with people like themselves and not have to worry about anything else. I’ve got to know the kids really well and they are all amazing and so different.  It’s also really helped to guide my future career options as it made me realise that I would like to go into care, preferably child nursing as I love caring and helping children. It has really opened my eyes to how hard life can be with a disability and I have a greater respect now for the families and the children who have to deal with it day-to-day. This experience has definitely supported and enhanced my own learning and personal development in so many different ways and I will definitely be continuing my volunteering with the club.”