Shining Light Aaron carries the Olympic Torch

Aaron Reeds was referred to Gosport Voluntary Action approximately 5 years ago by the then Solent Mind.  He was suffering from acute anxiety and depression.  He agreed to come on our accredited ‘Preparation for Volunteering’ course, during which he grew in confidence and participated well.  At the end of the course Aaron had made so much progress that we invited him to attend the next course as a helper.  He enjoyed helping other course members with their confidence issues and, because he had ‘been there’, was easily able to empathise with them.   

Aaron had been diagnosed as school-phobic at the age of 14, so attending courses was a new and very brave thing for him to do.  He progressed even further and undertook 2 counselling courses – basic and intermediate.  The knowledge he gained from these courses has proved extremely useful in his now permanent role as scribe and general helper on the ‘Preparation for Volunteering’ course.  

Aaron’s fiancée, Sian, sent his story (about his continuing battle with depression and his positive steps to overcome it) to the Olympic Committee and, as a result, Aaron was deemed to be special enough to become an Olympic Torch Bearer.  His designated run was within the grounds of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight – an honour indeed!  

Rather fittingly, Aaron’s motto is:

"Greatness is not what you achieve, but what you overcome".

We at GVA are extremely proud of Aaron and appreciate his input enormously, as do many past course members who are so grateful for his help.  

Peter d’Agostino

Volunteer Support Worker