In the latest of a series of blogs we are running to mark Volunteers’ Week, Jacqui Adeniji-Williams talks about her work with Whizz-Kidz:

My role as a Whizz-Kidz volunteer is to help when help is needed and to show the young people I support that anything is possible!

I chose to get involved in volunteering at Whizz-Kidz because the work they do is AMAZING and they have given me so much.

Whizz-Kidz have supported me for years; from provision of my first wheelchair to supporting me to become a lead volunteer, co-delivering services ranging from youth clubs to wheelchair skills training.

Volunteering at Camp Whizz-Kidz – a four day residential camp for young wheelchair users – was my highlight because I felt like I made a real impact on the young people – they can relate to me and I understand certain moments in their lives that they might be going through.

I’m just myself and I hope it inspires them to be the same.

Thank you Whizz-Kidz for giving me the opportunity to support other young people.

Being a part of Whizz-Kidz has provided me with the confidence to take control of issues relating to my wheelchair; I’m no longer afraid to say when my chair isn’t working for me. I’m more assertive about saying this is what I want and need which has meant that I get the healthcare that’s right for me.

What Whizz-Kidz says about Jacqui…

George Fielding, Chair of the Kidz Board, says: Jacqui has the most amazing energy and always has a smile on her face.

I have learnt a lot from her. She is a perfect role model, giving young people confirmation that ‘whatever a normal life is, you can have it’, and that’s what most of our young people want; to work, to play a role in society that matters.

I hope she can stay involved for as long as possible.

Holly Rollit-Mason, Whizz-Kidz Camp Co-ordinator, says: “Jacqui is a brilliant young mentor at Camp. She uses her own initiative at all times and thrives on coaching the young people using her own life experiences of being a wheelchair user. Jacqui is an inspiration, not only to the young people but to the staff as well.”

• Volunteers’ Week runs from 1-7 June 2015