From Volunteering to Community Leadership
Sadika’s Journey with Trauma Healing Together
“Helping others is something I am very much fond of, since I was a little girl. It gives me a joy that is so special and makes me feel worthwhile.”
These heartfelt words from Sadika reflect the compassion, empathy, and sense of community that lie at the heart of Trauma Healing Together.
Originally from Bangladesh, Sadika now lives in Perth and works as a Customer Relationship Manager in the hospitality sector. With more than six years of experience in customer relations and guest services, she has always enjoyed connecting with people and supporting others. She also holds a Master’s degree in Related Arts from the University of Dhaka, which helped broaden her perspective and strengthened her passion for community engagement and cultural understanding.
Discovering Trauma Healing Together
Sadika first connected with Trauma Healing Together through a volunteering opportunity at the Perth and Kinross Mental Health & Wellbeing Festival 2026.
“My volunteering experience at the PK Mental Health & Wellbeing Festival was very positive and rewarding. The team was supportive, well-organised, and it felt meaningful to contribute to such an important cause.”
Feeling welcomed, valued, and inspired by the organisation’s mission, Sadika decided to continue volunteering and later became a Peer Group Facilitator within Trauma Healing Together.
“This experience changed my life in many positive ways. I became more confident in myself, more understanding of people’s struggles, and more aware of how important emotional support and community connection really are.”
The Impact of Volunteering
For Sadika, volunteering became much more than simply giving time to others. It became a journey of personal growth, confidence, connection, and purpose.
Moving to a new country can sometimes feel isolating, especially when adjusting to a different culture and building a new life away from family and familiar surroundings. Through volunteering, Sadika found a sense of belonging and community.
“Volunteering gave me, greater confidence and self-belief, new friendships and community connections, leadership skills, an understanding of mental health and trauma and more importantly a sense of fulfilment, purpose and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. You gain so much emotionally and personally through volunteering. You learn empathy, patience, communication, and you realise that your support can truly impact someone who may be struggling silently.”
A Message to Anyone Considering Volunteering
Sadika strongly encourages others to consider volunteering, especially those who may feel uncertain about whether they have enough experience or confidence. Besides, volunteering can open unexpected doors, create meaningful friendships, and help people discover strengths they did not realise they had.
“I would tell anyone who wants to volunteer to just take the first step. You do not need to be perfect or highly experienced. Kindness, willingness to listen, and compassion are the most important qualities.”
Why Volunteer with Trauma Healing Together?
“Trauma Healing Together is a very welcoming and supportive organisation. You are treated with respect, encouraged to grow, and given opportunities to genuinely make a difference in people’s lives.”
She particularly values the organisation’s inclusive approach and commitment to supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
As someone from a South Asian cultural background, Sadika is passionate about challenging the stigma surrounding mental health within ethnic minority communities.
She explains that in many communities, mental health struggles are often misunderstood or hidden because of shame, fear, or cultural expectations.
Through her work with Trauma Healing Together, she hopes to encourage more open conversations about emotional wellbeing and create spaces where people feel safe seeking support.
Looking Towards the Future
Sadika hopes to continue growing within community and mental health work in the future. She is passionate about supporting ethnic minority communities, particularly women and migrants who may feel isolated or unheard.
“I hope that in the future, more people from my cultural community will feel comfortable speaking about mental health and asking for support without fear or shame. I want to be part of creating that change.”