Spotlight on Tom

June 1, 2016

As it is National Volunteers Week (1st – 10th June), we want to celebrate our guardians’ volunteering more than ever. When Tom became a guardian with Dot Dot Dot he hadn’t previously done any volunteering, but is now involved in several great projects. This is what he has to say:

queen elizabeth olympic park I am currently in my third month of being a Property Guardian with Dot Dot Dot. When I first started I did not have any established volunteering work, but the help I received from Dot Dot Dot could not have been better.

I am now a Park Champion at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where I volunteer at least once a week on the Information and Mobility Desk. I enjoy this so much because of the great people I get to work alongside and a huge sense of reward from the people I get to help. This can be anything from giving directions on a map to escorting someone through the park on a tour who may have mobility issues.

Tom Cavanagh Volunteering I also volunteer with a smaller organisation called World Write. They teach children who come from difficult backgrounds how to film and create documentaries. This is great as they are like a big family and have welcomed me in and are always so grateful for anything I can do to help them. Whether its helping with general admin tasks to ‘trying’ to fix their computers that are all donated.
I thoroughly enjoy volunteering, and with the tools that are available to me (and everyone) it could not be easier to find opportunities that interest me and that I am passionate about.

I have had so much fun over the past few months and I am really looking forward to continuing my volunteering work with the friends I have made along the way.

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Dot Dot Dot stands for property guardianship done well

We are a social enterprise which houses people in buildings that would otherwise be empty

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Testimonials

“As a property guardian with Dot Dot Dot I save £450 per month compared with what I used to pay on rent – that’s a significant difference.”
Josh, Poplar
“I saw the advert for Dot Dot Dot and was intrigued to find out more. Initially it was the low cost that attracted me but I also thought the social enterprise side of the business was really cool. I liked the fact that being a guardian with Dot Dot Dot encouraged me to give back and make me do something good with my free time.”
Heba, High Barnet
“Dot Dot Dot has been a perfect springboard to the city.”
Tom, Croydon
“If I wasn’t a property guardian I would either be paying a ridiculous amount of money on renting in London or unable to move out of my grandmother’s house at all. I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford to spend time volunteering.”
Bella, Bow
“I was drawn to property guardianship because I wanted to live affordably in London which is pretty hard to do – and the volunteering aspect of guardianship with Dot Dot Dot really appealed to me as a way of giving back to the community.”
Carl, High Barnet
“It’s great because I often work from home. Because it’s a huge building you have you’re own space, but if you want to hang out with other guardians you can.”
Sarah, Whitechapel
“I love the idea that you are part of a community in such a large city. I like the fact we are allowed to be creative with the decoration of the flat and getting involved with local charities is something which I have missed doing over the last few years.”
Jasmine, Peckham
“When I started investigating guardianship options, Dot Dot Dot stood out because of the emphasis on volunteering and contributing to the local community.”
Alison, Bow
“Being a property guardian with Dot Dot Dot means you do more than simply live somewhere. Instead, because you volunteer you really become part of the community. The best bit is knowing you’ve made a difference and have had a positive impact on those around you.”
Tim, High Wycombe
“Being a guardian gives me the freedom to do good, invest time in work I believe in and be part of a fascinating community. It’s a no-brainer.”
Sam, Thamesmead