When I was asked to write a blog post about my passion, my first thought was that I didn’t have anything meaningful to say. I’ve written two amateur blogs before, one about my love of cooking, where I shared a favourite Romanian dish I make for special occasions, and another about my arts and crafts, showing how I create my own Christmas decorations each year to give alongside cards. But this time felt different. I looked back to last year – a very hard one personally, and I kept thinking: what brought me joy, what kept me going, what is my passion, really?
And then it hit me: my passion is helping people.
Although it is not something easy to quantify like running, gardening, or reading, it’s something that is “just” happening, so I never thought about it from this perspective, or maybe I did, but didn’t know how to express it.
I’ve always believed that strong communities are built on small acts of care. Helping people isn’t something I plan, it’s something that has naturally happened over time, and now it’s part of my life. What started as simply “helping out” has grown into something much bigger and now I’ve realised that helping others also helps me. It supports my mental health and gives me a sense of purpose.
I’m on the board of two charities, EATS Rosyth and the Citizens Rights Project. Both do very different work, but they share the same goal which is supporting people when they need it most. EATS Rosyth provides food and essential support while running community projects that promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and build a stronger community. The Citizens Rights Project helps people understand their rights and feel more confident standing up for themselves. Being part of these organisations has opened my eyes to the challenges many people face every day. It has also shown me how powerful kindness and practical support can be; it gives me a sense of purpose. It reminds me that even small actions can make a difference. That feeling is incredibly important for my mental wellbeing.
Of course, alongside this, I work as a Finance and Administration Manager at Venture Scotland. My role is behind the scenes, where I feel “in my element” is focused on numbers, systems, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Ten years ago, I was much more blunt and direct. I focused on getting things done, often without thinking too much about how I came across. I would never have described myself as a “people person.”
But working at Venture Scotland has changed me.
Even from a finance role, I can see the impact the organisation has on its participants. I see people grow in confidence, take on challenges, and achieve things they didn’t think were possible. Knowing that my work plays a small part in that is powerful. It helped me look beyond the numbers and see the people behind them or in front of me.
I’ve also learned so much from my colleagues. Their kindness, patience, and support for others have influenced me more than I expected. Over time, I’ve changed. I listen more. I think more about how my words affect people. I’ve become more caring, more understanding. I can honestly say I’m a better version of myself today than I was ten years ago.
Outside of work and my board roles, I try to be involved in my community as much as I can. I help at events, support local causes, and always say yes when someone needs an extra pair of hands. Being part of the community always lifts my mood and boosts my energy.
I especially enjoy helping friends at school events or at kids’ parties, there’s so much joy in those moments. Seeing children and adults come together reminds me how important community spirit is. And for me, it brings a kind of happiness that really supports my mental health.
What drives me is knowing that I’ve helped, even in a small way – it’s not about recognition. It’s rarely something big, more often it’s the small things. It might be setting up a table at the community market or the school fair, helping organise an event, or just being there when someone needs support. These small things add up.
Life can be busy, and it’s not always easy to balance everything. There are times when it would be easier to step back. But I’ve found that the more I give, the more I gain – not in things, but in how I feel. Helping others helps me feel grounded. It shifts my focus away from stress towards something positive. I’m often asked, “Why do you do this for free?” Well, to all those people, I say that this is what keeps me healthy – mentally, it’s something you can’t buy, so it’s not for free.
I truly believe that anyone can make a difference. You don’t need a big role or lots of time. It can be as simple as helping a neighbour, supporting a local cause, or giving your time when you can. Small actions can have a big impact, not just on others, but on yourself too.
Looking ahead, I want to keep doing what I can. There is always more to learn and more ways to help. My journey with Venture Scotland and all the other projects I’m involved with has shown me how powerful people can be when they come together.
At the heart of it all, I believe we are connected. When we help others, we strengthen our communities and, in doing so, we strengthen ourselves.
This journey hasn’t been about giving back in the way I once thought. It has shaped me. It’s taken me from being blunt and task-focused to someone more patient, more aware, and more understanding of others.
Helping people isn’t just something I do when I have time. It’s part of who I am. It keeps me grounded and gives me a sense of purpose.
And that is why, without even realising it at first, helping people has become my passion.