THE CONFIDENT teenager discussing future projects with fellow staff, or gently encouraging younger children to take up a paintbrush in the arts session, is a world away from the shy young boy who arrived in Glasgow nine years ago.
Shiloh Wakazadi has just been named Volunteer of the Year by charity Sense Scotland – the youngest ever recipient of the award.
“Winning was awesome,” grins the Lourdes Secondary pupil, who lives in Cardonald.
Shiloh came to Scotland from Sweden with his parents and two younger brothers Henoc and Holiness.
“None of us spoke any English,” explains his mum, Therese Kazadi. “So it was very hard.”
The family faced other challenges - Holiness did not speak at all and used his own sign language to communicate, while Henoc was quiet and wary of physical contact.
Both boys were later recognised as being on the autistic spectrum, and Henoc was diagnosed with Asperger’s.
It was a local community worker who put the family in touch with Sense Scotland, a charity which specialises in helping people who have communication support needs.
Shiloh recalls the first time he went along to the organisation’s Glasgow TouchBase centre, where he and his brothers took part in arts and music sessions, using instruments and sound to explore communication.
“I was nervous,” he says, adding with a smile: “I was helping out – making sure my brothers were behaving. Then I started going to the Siblings Group and it was great.”
The siblings group organises get-togethers and activities for brothers and sisters of children receiving help from Sense Scotland.
“Going to that group gave me the chance to know it wasn’t just happening to me and it was beneficial to hear the way people told their stories and how they dealt with situations,” he says.
“I’d take things away from the group, and try them at home - like making sure I had my brother’s attention first before trying to talk to him.”
“It gave me friends of my own. I felt like part of a huge family.”
Henoc and Holiness flourished, and Shiloh left the Siblings Group when he moved up to high school. But two years ago, he returned to help out, becoming a fully-fledged volunteer when he hit 16. One of his first trips was with the Ocean Youth Trust, helping young people learn to sail.
Laura Cowan, who worked with Shiloh at the Siblings Group, explains: “Shiloh has really grown in skills and confidence, from a shy wee boy to a confident young man. The other young people look up to him and respect him very much.”
His mum has noticed a huge difference in her son.
“Shiloh’s become so much more responsible at home,” says Therese.
“He’s become more aware of watching what he’s saying and doing and keeping calm in front of his brothers. Volunteering has been really good for him.”
Shiloh agrees.
“I’d say most of all I’ve grown as a person,” he says. “I know that I can have a positive influence on the children we work with and I feel much more mature being given that responsibility.
“To anyone thinking of volunteering I’d say it’s awesome. We gain skills and so much more.”
As well as boosting his confidence and his CV, volunteering has given Shiloh an idea of what he would like to do with his life.
“I’ve got a job as a support worker with Sense Scotland, helping children and young people at TouchBase Glasgow – where I first volunteered,” he explains.
For Shiloh, it’s a chance to show his gratitude to the charity which supported him and his family during difficult times.
“Sense helped my family, so I want to help them,” he says, simply.
“This will help me give something back and that feels great.”
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