When you lose a partner, the world can suddenly feel incredibly vast and daunting. For a long time, the thought of stepping back out into the community, let alone putting myself out there for job interviews, felt like a mountain too high to climb. I knew I needed a bridge to get me back to myself, but I didn’t know where to find it.
That bridge turned out to be the Seafood and Sounds festival on Poole Quay.
Signing up to steward was a quiet act of bravery for me, but from the moment I put on my volunteer high vis, something shifted. Immersed in the incredible energy of the festival surrounded by live music, the buzz of the crowds, and the shared joy of our local community—I didn’t have time to be anxious. I was too busy guiding visitors, answering questions, and being part of a team.
The festival environment gave me a safe, structured, and joy-filled space to rediscover my own strengths. I realized that my ability to connect with people, handle logistics on the move, and bring a warm, reassuring presence to those around me hadn’t disappeared; it had just been waiting for the right moment to reawaken. Every smile from a festival-goer and every successful interaction with the public was a brick rebuilding my confidence.
By the time the festival weekend ended, I wasn’t just tired and happy I was transformed. The experience proved to me that I could handle the busy, unpredictable world outside again.
That sudden surge of confidence was exactly the catalyst I needed. Armed with the proof of what I could achieve at Seafood and Sounds, I finally found the courage to update my CV and start applying for jobs. Today, I am back in employment, doing work that matters, and I truly trace the turning point back to that vibrant weekend on the Quay.
To anyone sitting on the fence about volunteering, wondering if they have it in them to take that first step: do it. You think you are just giving your time to a festival, but you might just find that it gives you your life back.
By Jay