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.
Ryan is a young volunteer who got in touch with us recently to ask for help in signing up for his Saltire Awards. We asked him if he’d like to share his volunteering story with us. Read below to hear about Ryan’s journey into football-related volunteering and how this is benefiting his learning and future career.
When did you first start volunteering? How did you hear about it (through school, a friend, parents, etc.)?
I first started volunteering back in mid-November 2020 with Falkirk Foundation. At that time I was nearing the halfway point in S5, though I knew that I wanted to pursue coaching as a career and was eager to leave high school to pursue this. I found this opportunity by myself, I was contacting various local football clubs and enquiring about opportunities. Admittedly if it wasn’t for my dad, I might never have built up the courage to enquire about volunteering within the Foundation.
We understand that you have a few different volunteer roles. What role has been your favourite, and why?
I have volunteered with three different organisations within the past couple of years and I am still with all 3 to date. All have taught me many lessons but if I had to pick a favourite it would be the Falkirk Foundation. My time at this organisation has been beneficial to my development not only as a coach but as a person as well. I would say this was my favourite experience as I gained an insight into many different aspects in coaching, this also benefitted my college learning as it gave me an edge due to the experience it gave me.
Where do you volunteer currently? What do you enjoy about it?
As I said previously, I currently volunteer with three organisations, these are Falkirk Foundation, Syngenta Juveniles FC and Pro Performance Goalkeeper Academy. There are many reasons as to why I enjoy volunteering here, mainly the environment which all three provide as well as the fact that they have helped my progression as a goalkeeper coach massively. I have also gained many contacts in the coaching world which has already helped me and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.
Do you have a favourite volunteering memory? Tell us about it in as much or as little detail as you like.
To be honest I don’t think I could pick a favourite memory, the whole experience has been brilliant. The camps I’ve helped at come to mind however, they are always a good laugh and great fun.
As you are a young volunteer, so far you have been able to achieve a 200 hour Saltire Awards certificate for your dedication to volunteering. Do you think the Saltire Awards are a good incentive for other young people to volunteer?
I do believe that the Saltire Awards provide a good incentive for young people to give back to the community, benefitting the volunteers, the organisations, and the community as a whole. It also gives a boost to your CV which is always a nice added bonus.
