During #volunteerweek we caught up with our newest volunteer, Yulia, who is in her second week of volunteering at The Circle as a Volunteer Receptionist.
How did you find out about The Circle?
Alison from Dundee International Women’s Centre helped me send a CV and covering letter to different organisations in Dundee.
Why do you want to volunteer?
First of all, I want to gain experience in an office environment and with accountancy in particular. I previously worked in the Payroll department of a bank in Russia. I want to learn new things and develop my skills.
I can practice speaking English at The Circle – it’s impossible at home because my husband and I speak Russian. It’s more natural to speak your mother language.
What do you like about The Circle?
Every day I meet new people and have a new challenge. It’s a fast-paced environment with lots of different enquiries and tasks at the same time. I like that.
What brought you to Dundee?
Love! I met my husband in Istanbul and we decided to get married. He proposed we should get married in Scotland where he was already working. Then I applied for a Visa which was a long and difficult process for someone with my nationality. On the 31st of December 2014, I arrived at Edinburgh airport at 9 pm. After a long wait at Border Control, my husband met me. We were the last people to leave the airport. We were married in Dundee on the 15th of January 2015.
If you are interested in volunteering, we have more opportunities for Volunteer Receptionists at The Circle.