A moment to reflect...and inspire

I entered the world of volunteering around 15 years ago while working full time in the insurance industry. My day job was ok and it paid the bills etc. I helped customers with their insurance needs, also dealing with moments of crisis too (household and motor claims). But there was something lacking.

I was in my early 20's and I remember being in Nottingham one afternoon. I saw what appeared to be a homeless chap appealing for money (not aggressively) from passers by. I remember seeing this passer by tear strips off him very aggresively: 'you're a disgrace begging, why aren't you working, what's wrong with you, have some self respect' and much more. I felt hurt at the time and felt I should have said or done something.

This episode stayed with me for a while and I decided to see about volunteering to support homeless people in my area. So, I paid a visit to my local VC and ended up identifying a homeless day centre so I gave them a call.

I met the volunteer co-ordinator a week later (lets call her Marjorie). She took time out of her very busy day to go through the necessary forms, induction and tour of the building etc. Most of all though she listened. And she listened incredibly well. She wanted to get to know me to get the best out of me (her words). I didn't feel threatened, weird or anything, in fact, she made perfect sense.

I started volunteering with the centre early in the mornings doing the breakfast sessions before my day job began. I also did the odd weekend too (much to the delight of my wife!). I'd spend time getting to know the service users, understanding why they used the centre and what their needs were. Some, not all, were homeless, and most of them were young lonely males drifting. Marjorie and her team (including me) would cook and serve food, listen and support the service users with action plans as appropriately as we could. We did an excellent job in very difficult circumstances.

Marjorie always made time to thank me at the end of each shift, even if there was a crisis to be dealt with, she'd always thank me. She also made sure she got to know the real me - we'd have time out chats talking about the role, films, music, this and that over a cuppa. She showed a genuine interest in me and did the same with all the volunteers and service users at the centre. She loved the place, all that it stood for and she loved helping people. Her motto was 'people do not care how much you know, they just want to know you care.'

Volunteering at the centre got me thinking about other forms of volunteering. I'd clearly been bitten by the bug so I started volunteering in a few other roles too, while maintaining my day job.

I stayed at the centre for about 6 years and I only left because they reviewed their opening hours. Marjorie continued to support volunteers at the centre right until the day she left through ill health 5 years ago. She passed away about 6 mths after she left the centre.

My volunteering experiences gave me a new outlook on, and appreciation of life, and gave me the skills, confidence and knowledge to consider a career change. I moved into the voluntary and community sector to manage a youth mentoring programme 10yrs ago.

I manage a team of volunteers in the Volunteer Centre where I work now. I'm blessed to work with a brilliant staff and volunteer team. I support external volunteer leaders with their programmes and deliver vol mgmt training too.

My reason for posting this blog is simple; I would not be doing what I do now if I hadn't had the volunteering experience with Marjorie at the centre all those years ago. That experience, driven mainly by one brilliant leader, was the catalyst for me, both in my professional and personal life.

My volunteering has taken me to wonderful places and has seen me meet some amazing, inspiring people along the way. I try to emulate what Marjorie taught me and how she made me feel. I say to volunteer managers, including myself, take time to support your volunteers, invest fully/properly in your programmes and really get to know your team. Having a robust volunteering framework is great, but the approach from the volunteer leader is paramount. Suspend disbelief, seize that can-do attitude and inspire those around you.