Why it's good to volunteer.

This article was first published in the York Press on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019.

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17663449.column-why-its-good-to-volunteer/

June 1st to June 7th is Volunteers Week. 

Volunteering is an excellent contributor to a person’s wellbeing. It’s something I’ve done all my adult life. As well as paid work, I’ve have been an unpaid volunteer in a variety of ways. The best volunteering experience of my life, was as a Games Maker at London12 Olympics, but it was an opportunity missed by many, who didn’t believe in unpaid work. Now I do a few hours in a local hospital, meeting and working with people of all ages and backgrounds. I chose the hospital because the doctors saved my husband’s life in 2013 and I wanted to give something back to the NHS. I also belong to Soroptimist International, a women’s service organisation, who run volunteer projects locally, nationally and internationally. The range of work available for volunteers is enormous and in times of cuts to services, volunteers are needed more than ever. Local libraries are one such example.

Most people do not volunteer for personal recognition, though volunteers can be recognised in their own working groups and in the Queen’s honours too. This may be a surprise, but there has never been an awards event for women volunteers in Yorkshire. Earlier this month, an inaugural event took place in Leeds. It was organised by the award winning children’s author from Selby, Christina Gabbitas and was in aid of NSPCC, Childline and Children’s Literary Festivals. It was so successful that a second one has been booked for May 8th, 2020.

Amongst the nominees, there were volunteers with the homeless, cancer patients, LGBT community, the elderly, period poverty projects, children’s activities in libraries, environmental projects, sports and art projects and supporting teenagers and adults in custody. The youngest nominee was 11 and the oldest over 80. It was humbling to see women who have their own chronic health problems determined to help others for as long as they can. Volunteering also helps people feel useful in society and can contribute to better mental health for those who may be struggling with retirement, needing a purpose in life and loneliness.  The choice of work available is endless.   

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself and the other for helping others. - Audrey Hepburn

©AlisonRRussell2019

The payback from volunteering.

This is the July's Wellbeing column from the York Press:

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/health/13375744.The_payback_you_get_from_volunteering/

In recent weeks, the York Press has featured articles on volunteering. Maxine Gordon wrote about opportunities in Pickering and Malton. York Cares was featured in the business pages.

I read a small item about York Hospital Trust asking for volunteers. I thought it was only the WRVS who had volunteers in hospitals, but not so. There are three hundred volunteers spread around YHT hospitals, doing a variety of work. Experiencing a personal ‘lightbulb’ moment, an application form was submitted.

This reminded me of a train journey in Spring 2011. I was returning to York from Gateshead, after attending an interview to be a London 2012 Games Maker.  The Games Makers initiative was not widely known at that stage and the couple sitting next to me were not aware of the volunteer army planned for London 2012. A goodie bag attracted their interest.

The man’s reaction was a surprise. It was one of incredulity. He was a business man in his forties and could not believe that there were people who were willing to work at London 2012, without being paid. He thought it was some sort of Government scam. I explained that having been impressed with the volunteers at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, I wanted to volunteer at London 2012 and didn’t mind what I did or where. 

As it turned out, my time was spent at Eton Dorney Rowing Lake, where I enjoyed four of the most extraordinary weeks of my life. By the end of London 2012, most people had heard of the Games Makers and were aware of our purple and pink uniform. People were asking to how to become one. Too late. 

After The Games, I thought about that man on the train and wondered if he remembered our conversation. Did he now understood the nature of volunteering?  Did he visit an event and see the Games Makers working? Though he wasn’t alone, there were many sceptical people. A GP told me that one his colleagues couldn’t understand why he wanted to work for no pay in his holidays. This was until the second week and then he’d been in touch. The penny had dropped.

My personal motivation is to give something back to the hospital that saved my husband’s life. While not having everything I want, I am fortunate to have everything I need and believe that most of us can help in the community in some way and not ask for a monetary reward.

There are numerous opportunities for volunteering, if you look for them.  Age is no limit. Working in historical houses, in gardens, the countryside, in transport, sport, cooking, sewing, reading, writing, helping people of all ages or working with animals. It’s limitless. Visit the library, read the local papers, look at cards in shop windows. This is a good place to start: 

http://www.volunteeringyork.org.uk

or like me,  http://www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk/get_involved/volunteering/

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

©AlisonRRussell2015