Some people become such a big part of Sparkle that it's hard to imagine the place without them. Georgia is one of those people.

From helping out at family events at just 12 years old to becoming a valued member of our Leisure team, Georgia has grown up with Sparkle. Now, five years after officially becoming a volunteer, she's qualified as a paediatric nurse and secured a position with Cardiff and Vale's Complex Care Nursing Team.

It's a wonderful achievement, and one that has particular significance for Georgia, whose passion for nursing first took shape through the people she met and the experiences she gained at Sparkle.

Where it all began

Georgia's Sparkle story started with a little bit of glitter. At around 12 years old, she began helping out on the glitter tattoo station at our family events, a role she's never quite given up, and you may still see her applying tattoos at the next event!

Even at that young age, Georgia recognised that there was something special about Sparkle and the opportunities it gave children, young people and their families to enjoy themselves in an understanding, welcoming environment.

‘I saw the impact it had on the young people and their families to have a space with no judgement that was made for them to have fun, with people who understood and cared for them. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.’

By the time her 16th birthday approached, Georgia couldn't wait to make things official. She'd been counting down the weeks until she could finally submit her volunteer application.

Once she started volunteering, Georgia threw herself into life at Sparkle's clubs, making new friends, building relationships with the young people she supported and creating memories that still make her laugh.

One of those memories involves Lily, a young person she formed a particularly special bond with at Continuing Care Club. The two still laugh about a memorable mishap when Georgia first started.

‘We often laugh over the one time on my first shift I got her wheelchair stuck down the grass bank!’

Thankfully, the incident didn't put either of them off, and their connection has continued throughout Georgia's time at Sparkle.

Growing in confidence and finding her path

Volunteering was just the beginning for Georgia. She already knew she wanted to become a Play Worker at Sparkle, and it wasn't long before she took that next step.

As a Play Worker, now known as a Leisure Support Worker (LSW), Georgia spent the next two years developing her skills, building relationships with colleagues and young people, and gaining valuable experience. She went on to become a supervisor at Monday Youth Club and Continuing Care Club.

It was at Continuing Care Club that Georgia began to discover where her future might take her. Community nurses regularly visited the club to provide specialist support for children and young people with complex medical needs. As Georgia got to know them and learned more about their work, she began to see nursing as a career she wanted to pursue.

‘After building a nice relationship with some of the regular nurses who attended I realised then that was what I wanted to do.’

What started as an opportunity to volunteer had helped Georgia discover a new ambition. But it was the relationships she built with the children and young people at Sparkle that continued to motivate her.

Learning through experience

Working in Continuing Care gave Georgia a deeper understanding of the different ways disability can affect children and young people, and how important it is to recognise and respond to each person's individual needs.

‘Working in CC really opened my eyes to the diversity of the term disability and how differently it affects everyone.’

For Georgia, it was often the little moments that meant the most.

‘The smiles and interactions I get from the young people just fills my heart and I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding job over these past 5 years.’

Alongside the relationships she was building, Georgia was also gaining valuable practical experience. Through her work at Sparkle, she received training in enteral feeding, medication administration, manual handling, epilepsy awareness and other areas that would prove useful throughout her nursing studies.

Georgia has worked incredibly hard to become a nurse, and she recognises the part those experiences have played in helping her develop the skills and confidence to pursue her chosen career.

‘Those experiences have helped me to become the driven, compassionate and caring nurse that I like to think I am today.’

A new chapter and a full-circle moment

Now a qualified paediatric nurse, Georgia is preparing to begin her new role supporting children and young people with complex medical needs. It's a particularly special next step for someone whose interest in nursing began through getting to know the community nurses at Sparkle.

Looking back on her five years as a volunteer and member of the Leisure team, Georgia admits it still feels a little surreal.

‘It feels quite surreal sometimes looking back. It doesn't feel like 5 years have passed and I look back fondly on all of my amazing experiences and young people I have had the pleasure of caring for throughout my career.’

‘To be ending my Sparkle career to start a new one with children with complex needs feels like a full circle moment.’

And while Georgia is moving on professionally, there's a little bit of Sparkle going with her. In the skills she's developed, the friendships she's made and the experiences that will continue to shape her career.

Not bad for something that started with a few glitter tattoos!

Where could volunteering take you?

For anyone considering volunteering at Sparkle and wondering where the experience might lead, Georgia's shares her advice:

‘I'd say do it. Not a day has gone by where I've ever regretted my decision to work for such an amazing place like Sparkle. And I wouldn't change it for the world.’

Reflecting on everything she's learned and achieved, Georgia has one final thought.

‘16 year old me would never believe it.’

We are so grateful for the time Georgia has given to Sparkle and the many children and young people she has supported along the way. And as for that 16-year-old girl who couldn't wait to become a Sparkle volunteer? We reckon she'd be pretty proud of the woman she's become.

Could volunteering at Sparkle be the start of your story?

Whether you're looking to gain experience, develop new skills, meet new people or simply make a difference, volunteering at Sparkle could open doors you never expected.

Find out more here: