Joka's story

After volunteering for a few months after her husband died, Yoka couldn’t believe her luck when she was offered a job as a kitchen assistant

'I came from Bosnia in 1992 and was a carer for my husband for over 20 years and after he died, I didn’t know what to do. I was really struggling, I didn’t know about universal credit, so I was in debt and couldn’t cover the rent. On top of all this my sister died. I was really low.

'Then citizen advice suggested I contact Age UK Barnet to apply for a Household Support Fund grant to cover my rent arrears.  I was so grateful to receive this as well as Tesco food vouchers, and I turned up at Age UK Barnet with some home made cookies to say thank you.  I’d always thought about volunteering and even though I was nervous, I spoke to Lisa the volunteer manager. She was so lovely and she convinced me to apply to be a volunteer.

Everyone was so kind and understanding. Because I was nervous they thought it I might be happier volunteering in the kitchen, helping the cook Jane to make meals for the day club members. Jane was so calm and, with her support, I started building up confidence.

‘I couldn’t believe my luck when I was offered a job. It's something that I never thought was possible. I still get stressed and scared sometimes but I can’t believe that I’m part of this lovely group of people and I feel I belong. I’m not scared of work, the only thing I was scared of was not fitting in.’

I was strong when I was looking after my husband and since he died I lost a lot of confidence. I had to start again and working here is helping me get my life back again.'