“Why do you volunteer with the charity that you work for?”
That is a question that I am often asked – it can seem a crazy thing on top of what is a very full time job. I am not alone in this craziness! Our 200 strong team of volunteer colleagues have all kinds of other responsibilities – paid work, other volunteer roles, family commitments … some all of the above … and more!! So … why do I do both?!
For me … the “why?” … is a combination of things.
Firstly, it keeps me connected with the challenges and demands that our volunteers experience on a day to day basis in the work that they do for us. I am very proud to work for an organisation that delivers almost all of the support that we offer through a skilled, experienced, professional volunteer team – we ask a lot of our volunteers and they give us a lot in return. It is important to me that I am close to the things that they see day in day out. I am not naïve enough to think that my small experience will match the diversity of the experience of our different volunteers … but it gives me a feel and flavour for what is coming through our doors and what our volunteers might need from us in different ways.
Secondly, being a volunteer is good for me!! That’s a very selfish reason, I know … but it is in the mix! I get a HUGE amount out of my volunteer role. Although my paid role does not require it, I am also a qualified counsellor and using this skillset as a volunteer allows me to the opportunity to put that training into practice in an environment where all the admin legwork is done for me (even more selfish!)!! Despite the two roles being connected to the same organisation … when I put on my “volunteer hat” I feel a million miles away from the responsibilities that my “work hat” carries – and it rarely feels like the two are connected in any way. In a very strange way that is all part of my self care – using my skills, connecting with people, giving back to my community, and the opportunity to help and support others.
Finally, the organisation gives back to me, as a volunteer, in lots of ways. Throughout the year it offers a menu of training courses and Annual Conference that contribute towards my Continual Professional Development requirements. It also offers me a community to be part of where I can connect with like minded others sharing and learning new skills – both socially and professionally. With regular opportunities to attend events and meet people that I would not normally get to meet it also enrichens and broadens my horizons in lots of ways.
Cruse Scotland really is a great team of people to be part of … both as a staff member and a volunteer. It is a genuine privilege, and honour, to be part of that team as together we support bereaved people throughout Scotland. In telling you how great our volunteers are … it would be remiss of me to not to offer you the opportunity to be part of this amazing team doing what is often described as “life saving work”!! If you are a good listener you might be interested in training to join our Helpline team which is the first point of contact for those struggling with grief … or perhaps you are a qualified counsellor with time to offer in being part of our therapeutic support team. You can read more about both of these opportunities here.
Nicola Reed is Director of Client Services at Cruse Scotland
Cruse Scotland have been supporting people in Scotland who are struggling to cope with their grief for over 60 years. They offer vital bereavement support regardless of age, the relationship to the deceased or how recent or long ago the death occurred. They have a range of services including; one to one counselling, a Helpline, Early Support, Children and Young People support. They’re also the nation’s leading provider of training in bereavement theory and grief support for individuals, schools and workplaces.
