National Grid Volunteer: Martina Smith
Martina is an Administrator in Resource Delivery and Performance.
"I am Club Secretary for Special Olympics Northamptonshire and Northampton and Volunteer Coordinator for Northampton. I recently took on the role of Project Events Manager for a charity football match.
"I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for around eighteen months and regularly volunteer with our local region.
"Both my brother and cousin have a learning disability and when National Grid joined forces with SOGB I knew it was something I wanted to get involved with. I was told that there wasn’t a group set up in Northampton so I rallied round and drummed up interest from my colleagues and we set up a group to provide year round sports training and competition for people with a learning disability. We now have a gymnastics and cricket team entering the National SOGB Games in July this year. We’re hoping to broaden the group further by including football and bowls coaching.
"I have gained a great sense of achievement from what I do. I’m getting more confident as I meet and talk to new people from a wide variety of backgrounds. I certainly have a greater understanding of learning disabilities and a far greater appreciation of life.
"I’ve broadened my skill set immensely, with experience in event management, public speaking, cricket skills and secretarial skills.
"The whole experience has been amazing and extremely worthwhile - it will stay with me for the rest of my life. When I see the children’s faces when they develop a new skill or improve on what they can already do, it fills me with inspiration and joy. I feel like such a proud parent at the moment."