Gaining more than Giving: Volunteers’ Week 1st – 7th June
During Volunteers’ Week the UK celebrates and says thank you to its volunteers for their incredible contribution. The week raises awareness of the benefits of volunteering plus the diverse roles available.
Volunteering has a positive impact on those who volunteer. Volunteering offers great opportunities to give something back and to make a difference in society. Volunteering can boost confidence and wellbeing, bring new skills, make new companionships and brings a sense of achievement and purpose.
SLT’s CEO says, “Our volunteers support all our activities, we are so grateful to each and every one of them and send our heartfelt thanks”.
Why Volunteer?
There are many reasons why people volunteer, but whatever the motivation, it can be both challenging and rewarding.
Rosalind, SLT Volunteer, says, “My first experience of Stuart Low Trust was the weekly ‘Philosophy Forum’ which was sociable, stimulating, and therapeutic. Facilitators led us in discussing and quietly pondering on all sorts of thought-provoking and meaningful topics. I felt that I wanted more of SLT! So I asked about the opportunity to volunteer at SLT Friday evening events. Being a volunteer is fun (even doing the washing-up!) and I am hugely grateful for the mutual giving and receiving in my connection with SLT participants and volunteers.”
Volunteering provides opportunities to:
- give something back to an organisation that has impacted (directly or indirectly) on a person’s life
- help others less fortunate or without a voice
- make a difference to the lives of others
- help the environment
- feel valued and part of a team
- gain confidence and self-esteem
- spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
Volunteering offers opportunities to try something new, be a route to employment, or a career change. It can be a way of:
- gaining new skills and knowledge
- experiencing new challenges and opportunities
- developing existing skills and knowledge
- improving one’s employment prospects
- enhancing a CV
- gaining an accreditation
- using existing professional skills and knowledge to help others
Volunteering also has a sociable side! It provides opportunities to:
- meet new people and make new friends
- socialise
- enjoy time away from the day-to-day
- get to know the local community
Anthony, SLT Volunteer, says, “In 2017 I came to the Stuart Low Trust as a Friday evening volunteer during a particularly low time of my life. I was battling through low mood and depression.
The sense of community and friendliness among everyone, as well as the non-judgemental space that SLT has successfully created made such an impression on me. The opportunity to be a member of the fantastic volunteering team and socialise with other participants helped me with my own mental health. For that I’ve been eternally grateful to SLT.
Over the last couple years, I’ve continued to volunteer on Friday evenings, and more recently I’m honoured to have become a Trustee to support the Stuart Low Trust. I hope to continue to support the charity for years to come!”
Discover more Stuart Low Trust Volunteer stories here. Find out how to get involved at SLT here: Why volunteer.
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others” – Plato
