Volunteers’ Week: How You Can Make A Difference Through Volunteering

Between 1st and 7th June each year we celebrate Volunteers’ Week in the UK which is described as an “annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.” At Dignity we are lucky enough to have an amazing team, some of whom also give up their free time to volunteer for charities and community projects. We thought we’d talk about the work they are doing to give them some well deserved praise, and hopefully encourage others to give something back.

Why should you volunteer

Along with the tangible benefit you are providing to the charity or community you are volunteering for, it’s actually really good for your own mental health. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose, helps you meet other people, provides new skills and boosts your confidence. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking for something new, a voluntary role on your CV can also be seen as a bonus to potential employers on your CV.

Volunteers at Dignity

We are so proud to have such caring people here at Dignity that are willing to provide their skills and experience to others completely free. There’s a real mix of roles and causes from helping people cope during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensuring abandoned animals find new homes.

Yvonne

Which charity do you volunteer for?

A Facebook Covid19 volunteer group

What do you do for them?

I collect prescriptions, or shopping for the vulnerable at this present time.

What made you want to volunteer?

I had some spare time and wanted to help people like my parents who couldn’t go out and get food etc. for themselves as they were self isolating.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

I love meeting the vulnerable people when I drop off their items and they are so appreciated.  I will keep in touch with some of them, once this virus has gone away.

I also help out with the Guides and Scouts, when they are in need of help, when they do not have enough staff to take meetings or outings.  Again I do this, otherwise things cannot take place, this is not every week, just when we are needed.

Eloise

Which charity do you volunteer for?

Farnham & Camberley Cats Protection, Farnborough Girlguiding and Cat Chat.

What do you do for them?

A bit of everything for CP; fundraising at local events, home visiting for potential adopters, website admin, and more recently I have taken on the committee role of Publicity Team Leader. I have also started a new position this year for Cat Chat as a Volunteer Blog Writer which I really enjoy because it allows me to write about something I love (cats!) and keep up my writing skills.

I also run a Brownie unit for girls aged between 7-10 years old, planning activities, educating them, having fun and handling the boring bits like waiting lists, banking and general admin. This is a really hands-on and fulfilling role as you get to see the difference you make to the girls.

What made you want to volunteer?

I started with Cats Protection in 2013 after we adopted a cat from them and our home visitor talked me into it. I loved the idea that I could make a difference to cats in the local area. I joined a Brownie pack in 2014 because I had such fond memories of my time in Girlguiding and heard that they were struggling to find enough adult leaders, since then I’ve taken over the running of the unit and been involved in the Farnborough Division Executive (our version of a committee) and various large scale events.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

Making a difference. There’s no better feeling that seeing one of my Brownies having fun or repeating a fact or skill they’ve learnt, or knowing that I’ve helped find an abandoned cat a loving home. I would urge everyone to do a little bit of volunteering – there are SO many different types of roles and charities out there and some only need you for an hour a week in roles you can do from your sofa.

Emma

Which charity do you volunteer for?

The Link Club, which is a group for young disabled adults for people who are aged between 16-25.

What do you do for them?

Help the young adults to learn and develop social skills and confidence which will help them move into adulthood. We meet at a youth centre with regular evenings out, such as bowling, swimming and to restaurants.

What made you want to volunteer?

My sister (who has aspergers) attended this group and after seeing how much she had developed within a short time, I felt that I wanted to give something back to the community, helping others in the same situation as my sister.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

The laughter from the young adults and just how much they progress within the group is so rewarding to see. The friendships I have made  with the other leaders and group members also make this worth while.

Estelle

Which charity do you volunteer for?

Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue

What do you do for them?

Fostering puppies when they first arrive until they find a home, going out to Greece to collect dogs that we are able to help and bringing them back. Driving to collect dogs from Brussels as that is where they fly to. Fostering, homechecking and my house is also used as the arrival point for dogs, from here they are either fostered or adopted. I also do homechecking and fundraising.

What made you want to volunteer?

My youngest son had just started senior school and I had more time and I wanted to do something to help dogs in rescue. I saw an advert asking for volunteers for Chimney Farm on Facebook and signed up straightaway.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

Most of the dogs we help have no chance of knowing what it is like to be part of a loving family. They are treated appallingly and it is heartbreaking to see their suffering. It is a privilege to be a small part of their journey to the life they deserve and to see them doing so well with loving families and being the dogs they were meant to be. I have met some really lovely people too, it has without doubt been one of the best things I have ever done and feel very lucky to be part of such an amazing charity.

Start volunteering this Volunteers’ Week

Volunteers’ Week is a great time to find out more about how different charities work and what kind of opportunities are available.

Want to start volunteering? Think about causes that are important to you and do some research into the charities that support these. Many local councils have voluntary services advertising current vacancies, or get in touch with a local charity to find out how you can help. From holding a bake sale to helping run a social media page, there are so many different ways to get involved.

Supporting animal charities

It’s great to give your time by volunteering, but we know it’s not always practical. At Dignity we also support many animal charities through our Charity Well, Remembrance Walkway and various other fundraisers. You can find more about how we support animal charities here.