As part of our Volunteers’ Week 2022 celebrations, and keeping in line with the theme Year of Stories, we’re featuring a series of positive stories from our wonderful Falkirk volunteers.
A lovely local volunteer treasurer to a Falkirk group and would rather remain anonymous provided us an insight into their volunteer career that has now spanned over twenty years.
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started in your volunteer role and what it entails?
Back in 1998, a Falkirk community woods group was struggling to find office-bearers, so I just took a maddie and said, “Go on then.” I’ve been involved with several volunteer groups since, from being just a helper all the way to treasurer / trustee of a SCIO. From that first “go on then“, helping champion and run community projects seems to have just become part of regular life. Right now, I’m treasurer of my local community association. I like doing stuff with the people in my community; I think volunteering makes us all stronger.
How important are volunteers to your organisation?
Volunteers are 100% of our organisation; we have no paid staff. Without their freely given time, fun does not happen.
What is your favourite part of your volunteer role?
All ages dressed up in silly outfits and having a hoot together at the village World-Wide Garden Party™.
What has been your most memorable moment as a volunteer?
Helping our local wind farm develop a bursary scheme that now distributes £100K a year to local individuals wanting to improve their work opportunities through education and training.
Have there been any challenges in your volunteer role?
Sometimes you wonder if you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Sometimes debate turns into dispute and relationships get tested. Calm companionship, tea, and banter usually brings the sun back out.
What would you say to others who are thinking about volunteering?
- Only commit what time you can afford… if it doesn’t work out, it’s okay to stop.
- A fantastic way to meet new people.
- Put those skills to use in novel ways, and learn some new ones.
- You have no idea the difference that you can make till you give it a try…
- “Go on then.”
