Giving back is its own reward for colleagues

International Volunteer Day is earmarked as a time to celebrate those who give up their time to help others.

While it’s a welcome nod to the power and potential of volunteering, making a difference is the only recognition most volunteers need.

We encourage and support people to participate in volunteering activities and for our colleagues who have taken up the opportunity, their time and commitment has been repaid many times over.

Victoria, a Decisions Team Manager in Glasgow, has been volunteering as a dresser with Smart Works Scotland since November 2022.

She helps women who have been referred to the charity which gives unemployed women clothes and coaching for job interviews to help them return to or start work.

She said: “People come in and they don’t know what to expect, they are apprehensive, unsure, worried about trying things on, worried even about speaking to me and the other volunteers. It requires a bit of patience and understanding.

“But I get so much out it and it is so rewarding, especially when clients leave positive feedback about their experience. It makes such a difference to people, you can literally see them getting their confidence back.

“In my job at Social Security Scotland I don’t have any client contact so being able to be face to face with people is a really big thing for me. I find it so interesting to hear people’s stories, their different journeys, the barriers they have faced and what has helped and not helped them.

“It helps give an understanding of clients’ needs and I think it also demonstrates how invaluable our support is and the difference it can make to people.”

Our Volunteering Framework encourages and supports colleagues to take part in volunteering activities which have a positive impact on our communities. Victoria has used her own time to do even more and would encourage others to try volunteering.

She said: “I am aware what I do is a big commitment and not everybody would be able to manage it. I’m very fortunate where my kids are a bit more grown up, I am not juggling as much. The volunteer rota is published in advance so I can plan my volunteering around my workload and personal commitments.

“But I would encourage people to take up the opportunity , even just doing a day this coming year as a starting point. You can really make a difference.”

Claire, a People Advice and Support Manager, in Dundee, has also gone above and beyond with volunteering.

She and her team wanted to volunteer in an environment with a direct link to what we do as an organisation. Having identified Dundee and Angus Foodbank, part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, they were put to work organising large deliveries of food. It’s proved the start of an ongoing relationship.

She said: “We’re trained now and we know what to do so they can come to us if needed. If people are available and their workload is manageable, we can help.

“For example, in October they had had a delivery of around 7 tonnes of groceries which needed sorted. Another volunteer group had had to cancel at the last minute so they phoned us and we were able to send a couple of volunteers along and help sort it.”

Seeing the difference they could make has inspired Claire and her team to do more and they have also been helping out at The Yard, an adventure play centre in Dundee for disabled children, young people and their families. 

She said: “We knew they were badly needing help and we’ve managed to work with them for three days this year. One of the days they had soft play kit delivered, and we basically built it from the ground up. We obviously went along on days when the kids weren’t there but we know it had a big impact on them.

“I think having the opportunity to do this is amazing. It doesn’t matter what your abilities are, what you’ve done before, there will be something you are able to do.

“I feel quite privileged to be able to go out and do that and it’s made me a better person at work because I understand about the community that is around me.

“It’s good to see the world outside of your own little bubble. These days really help because they give you the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve.”