Meet our People - Seema Chopra

Seema is the Development Officer for CSV RSVP's Active Volunteering by Disabled People project, providing supported volunteering opportunities for people with disabilities. She is 21 and lives with her family in North London. She says...

"I have done voluntary work since I was 15 and still currently volunteer providing practical and social support to young unaccompanied minors. I do a lot of work surrounding disability and awareness in my area and I’m currently setting up a disability project similar to the one I run in Barnet in Hillingdon as I feel it’s a service that is required. When I finished university I planned to go into social work. I always knew I wanted to work with vulnerable people so this seemed like my only option. It wasn’t until I realised just how much volunteering did for my own personal development that I decided I wanted to give other people this chance in life.

I knew CSV was the organisation I wanted to work for when I started volunteering with the organisation as an Ally (befriending young people in care). I was always inspired by the projects CSV had been running. There were so many I wanted to be involved in but they were just too far away! That’s when I realised just how big CSV was nationwide and I knew it was an organisation I wanted to be a part of in the future.

What I love about this job is that no working day is the same! Everyday they’ll be different referrals, different faces, and different meetings! On an average day I will check any messages and emails regarding clients who have either been referred and seeking placements or those that have been placed. I then normally have informal interviews with disabled people wishing to use the service we provide. I find myself out of the office most of the time liaising with organisations about any volunteering opportunities available and visiting the projects already established in Barnet and seeing in what ways active volunteers are able to positively contribute.

What I love about working at CSV is that everyone is so nice and kind hearted. In terms of my job, I can genuinely say that I couldn’t have found a more ideal job. Disability has always played a huge part in my life as I have many disabled family members and friends. Pairing that up with voluntary work (another huge passion) what’s there not to like! Admittedly it can get stressful being a lone worker but it just means I get to work the way I want! That kind of flexibility is wonderful!

CSV RSVP makes a difference because it is a programme that is majorly run by volunteers. We make a difference because we care. We have compassion and we set up projects when we feel there is a need. We are different because we work hard for other people’s wellbeing and happiness and for me that’s the best kind of organisation there is."