At MacIntyre No Limits™ in Abingdon, Ellie has been building skills and experience for the future as she prepares to graduate this year. One place where she has really found her confidence is volunteering at the The Story Museum.
Ellie has a naturally warm and engaging way of speaking. She tells stories in a way that draws people in, so when the opportunity came up to volunteer at the museum, it felt like a great fit. After getting in touch with the volunteer organiser, also called Ellie, she joined the team.
The museum is a lively, imaginative space for young children and families, where stories are brought to life through performance, play and shared experiences. During busy sessions there can be up to 80 people arriving at once, with children aged 0–5 exploring the space together.
Ellie helps those sessions run smoothly.
She greets children and families as they arrive, helping people feel comfortable and showing them where to go. Before sessions begin, she helps set up the room, making sure everything is ready for visitors. Afterwards, she helps clear everything down again as the space resets for the next group. She is also working towards taking tickets as her confidence and responsibilities continue to grow.
For Ellie, helping people is important. Volunteering has given her the chance to build experience, develop confidence and be part of something she genuinely enjoys.
What stands out is how naturally Ellie has become part of the museum community. Staff and fellow volunteers don’t simply see her as someone “having a placement”, but as a valuable member of the team.
That sense of belonging is what Everyone Everywhere is all about. Not simply being present in the community, but being known and appreciated within it.
