From Volunteer to Mentor: Isra's Journey into Work and Beyond
19 Aug 2026
When Isra first came to FareShare Midlands, she was looking for her first real job.
She had recently finished college and was keen to support herself, but taking that first step felt hard.
Isra had moved to the UK from Sweden in 2021, when she was just 14. Starting over in a new country as a teenager was a big adjustment. She had to get used to a new culture and a new education system and make new friends from scratch. By the time she was 18, she was fluent in English and doing well at college, and she felt ready to find work.
But she kept hitting the same wall. Isra applied for entry-level hospitality roles on sites like Indeed and CV Library and never heard back. She had never written a CV or cover letter before and was not sure hers were any good. With no work experience to show, she could not get as far as an interview. It felt like a no-win situation, and it was disheartening.
Someone suggested she try volunteering to build up experience. Isra found FareShare Midlands on the BVSC website and joined our kitchen as a volunteer during her gap year. That is where she heard about the I-Can programme.
Through I-Can, Isra received patient, personalised support focused on building both her confidence and her practical skills. The team helped her write a strong CV and cover letter, and she gained qualifications in Food Safety, Allergens, Health & Safety and First Aid. Alongside this, she kept building her experience preparing, cooking and serving food in our commercial kitchen.
When a Kitchen Assistant and Employability Mentor role came up at FareShare Midlands, our chef Ellen encouraged her to apply. The team helped her prepare for the interview, and up against several other candidates, Isra got the job.
“This journey has taught me so much about how a workplace should function and what I should expect from a manager. It has shown me how much I am capable of and how much I can handle, which has made me feel so much more comfortable carrying out tasks,” Isra says.
The change in Isra has been remarkable. The young person who could not get a single interview became a mentor, using her own experience to support others facing the same challenges she once did. She grew in confidence, became financially independent, and began saving for university.
“Working with FareShare Midlands has been an amazing opportunity where I have become more confident and positive about my future. I have learnt a lot of new skills and a lot about myself,” she says.
For Isra, some of the best parts were not about the job itself, but about the people around her.
“What I will most miss is the different cultures it has brought together. There is such a diverse mix of staff and volunteers who are so welcoming to each other. Having been in the kitchen almost from the start, I have had the chance to see how much it has grown and the community it has brought together,” she adds.
Now Isra is taking her next big step. She is leaving FareShare Midlands to study Law at the University of Liverpool, feeling far more confident and excited about the opportunities ahead. Just a couple of years ago, this was not something she would have believed possible.
“I would 100% recommend joining an employability programme or volunteering at FareShare Midlands. It is such a lovely experience, and you get to learn so much about different cultures, different people, and different types of food you would not typically think about,” she says.
Isra's story shows how the right support, at the right time, can change someone's path. With encouragement, patience, and practical guidance, people can build confidence, gain new skills, and move towards a brighter and more independent future.
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