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.
We got in touch with Freedom of Mind Community Choir to see if they would like to share their thoughts on volunteering and how important it is in order for the choir to run. They have kindly provided a story from Linda.
Volunteers are crucial to the success of Freedom Of Mind Community Choir – we couldn’t run without them! Here are some thoughts from one of our volunteers, Linda.
“Hi, my name is Linda and I’ve been volunteering for around 6/7 years.
I found that I had lots of time to spare that I needed to fill with something that was not about me but had to be something that was useful to others. As I have a qualification in Art I initially looked into volunteering along these lines. I enquired to FDAMH, had an interview and before I knew it I was taking art classes. These were a couple of times a week doing crafts, watercolour painting, drawing and much more.
On an occasion I was asked if I could help out with a choir group, Freedom Of Mind Community Choir, that had been set up. I said yes and have been doing that role for a good number of years. It was very straightforward: taking the register, collecting the money from the members, and setting up for tea and coffee breaks. Also, I thoroughly enjoy attending any event that the choir is performing at. Being a regular face on a Wednesday afternoon helps with the normality of how things are run and to be able to listen when anyone wants to talk.
Seeing the Freedom Of Mind Community Choir grow, both in numbers and confidence amongst those who attend, is very rewarding. The way they are taught, what they have learned and the skills they have acquired over the years has been amazing to see.
Volunteering is a very rewarding position to take on. I have met so many lovely people and seen them develop in so many ways, learning new skills that many possibly thought they didn’t possess.
I would say to anyone thinking about it, take the step and enquire, who knows what you might find.”
To find out more, join or support the choir as a volunteer, visit www.freedomofmindcommunitychoir.com or call / text 07895 538 057.
