Meet Saudah: Capturing Stories, Building Community
Written by Kaira B., in collaboration with the Communications team
Healthcare organizations are sustained by many kinds of contributions. Alongside fr
ontline care providers are dedicated staff in communications, human resources, administration, operations, and more: all working together to support the community. Volunteers, too, play meaningful roles across these areas. Not everyone who volunteers in a healthcare setting is or plans to become a healthcare professional; many bring expertise in writing, coordination, outreach, research, and other fields, choosing to lend their skills in service of a shared mission.
At Circle of Care, this collaborative spirit is reflected in volunteers like Saudah, whose work strengthens both programs and community connection. Through her monthly articles, she brings out the unique stories and contributions of Circle of Care volunteers, who form the backbone of some of the organization’s signature programs to support seniors. Her interview features are enjoyed by many audiences, including Circle of Care’s volunteer community, prospective volunteers and donors, clients and their families, and members of the broader community who gain insight into Circle of Care programs through the lived experience of its volunteers.
Last year, Saudah came across Circle of Care’s posting on Volunteer Toronto seeking a volunteer writer. As a sociology graduate and professional editor, Saudah considered it the perfect opportunity to contribute her researching, interviewing, and writing skills, while also branching out into a new organization.
Excited to devote more time to her community, Saudah is also considering expanding her involvement, potentially volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program to deliver nutritious meals to the doors of seniors who are no longer able to shop or cook for themselves.
As a volunteer writer, Saudah interviews volunteers selected for the monthly spotlight.
She excels at interviewing because she is genuinely curious to learn people’s stories. She explores their volunteer work at Circle of Care and how it fits into their broader life story. Through conversations with long-term volunteers, Saudah has also gained insight into the organization’s history and its growth from a small initiative into the thriving community resource it is today.
Her favourite part of the interviews is learning the reason volunteers do what they do, and what inspires and drives them to keep showing up – week after week, year after year. She is also fascinated by what they have discovered about themselves and their communities along the way. Saudah marvels at the diversity of backgrounds among volunteers, each bringing unique gifts and perspectives to their service at Circle of Care.
Part of a strong volunteer culture is ensuring that people feel connected — to one another, to staff, and to the broader community they serve. When volunteers and team members across different roles collaborate, they build familiarity, trust, and shared purpose. Creating a robust volunteer network is not only about the tangible acts of service delivered each day, but also about the stories told, the relationships formed, and the understanding cultivated along the way. In that sense, the work becomes a kind of weaving — each action and each word adding to the rich tapestry of community that sustains Circle of Care and those it serves.
“My biggest challenge is condensing the rich and fascinating stories shared with me during interviews into concise blog posts,” Saudah shares. “It is often a formidable effort to preserve the richness and to do justice to the person I interviewed, while also adhering to newsletter feature requirements.”
Saudah deeply appreciates the stories and insights she has been entrusted with over the past year.
On one occasion, she interviewed a long-term (10+ years) volunteer who was very enthusiastic about giving back to the organization. After her feature came out, the volunteer told Saudah that she would print and frame a copy of the article to display on a wall in her home. Saudah was deeply touched. That moment has since become an anchor she recalls when facing new challenges.
To new and aspiring volunteers, Saudah offers: “Come with an open mind. This organization does really strong work. It is really dedicated to the community, and they truly care about their volunteers. They want you to feel welcome and to have a positive experience.”
Through her various volunteering roles, Saudah has discovered that volunteering shifts your focus to other people and what you can offer them – in turn, this leads to valuable connections but also self-reflection and personal growth.
