Taking place between 1st – 7th June each year, Volunteers’ Week is the nation’s chance to celebrate and say a big “thank you” to the millions of volunteers that make amazing contributions to all sorts of organisations.
With a reported 10 million UK adults volunteering during the Covid-19 crisis and more than three-quarters of those saying they plan to continue their volunteering efforts after the lockdown, we’re sure more of you than ever before will be considering giving up some of your time to support a charity or organisation close to your heart.
Here at Connexus, every employee is entitled and encouraged to take 1 day per year to volunteer in the communities we serve. And many go far beyond this, with some colleagues volunteering their own time on a regular basis.
People volunteer for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the opportunity to give something back to their community or to make a difference to people around them. For others, the experience can, to some degree, be about personal development and wellbeing, with their volunteering offering them the chance to develop new skills or build on existing knowledge and experience.
Often volunteers are driven by a personal passion, including our Communities Manager, Jacqui Gears. Decidedly a dog person in the great dogs vs cats debate, Jacqui regularly volunteers at RSPCA Gonsall Farm in Dorrington, Shropshire. Taking 7 or 8 dogs at a time out for a walk at a time keeps Jacqui smiling and frees up time for the RSPCA staff to focus on cleaning kennels and training/rehabilitating dogs, with an eye to eventually rehoming when possible.
When he’s not bowling us over with his Customer Service know-how, Gary Darlington, our Customer Services Manager, can be found helping out at the Knockin and Kinnersley Cricket Club. Volunteers from the club help with everything from grounds keeping to organising matches for the various adult and junior teams. The important work that volunteers at the cricket club do for their local communities even saw them win the coveted Queen’s Award for voluntary service in 2018.
Having grown up in Wem, Tom Bateson, Business Change Officer, was keen to give something back to the North Shropshire community he holds dearly. Tom volunteers his time with The Scout Organisation, helping local children learn skills, make friends and stand on their own two feet. From taking the Scouts out on camps in all weathers to organising activities and games in the Scout hut, Tom has fun making sure that no two Scout meetings are the same. And he’s pretty handy at putting up a tent now too!
For others, the drive to volunteer can be emotive and from wanting to make a difference to a cause they feel passionately about. Head of Governance, Nikki Griffiths, volunteers as the Chair of West Mercia Women’s Aid, which is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims of domestic abuse. With 2 women in the UK killed as a result of domestic abuse every week and increased pressures put on victims of domestic abuse during the lockdown, Nikki feels the work she’s been volunteering to do for the last 6 years is perhaps more valuable than ever.
The same could be said by carpenter Jonathan Philips, who donates his time as a listening volunteer for the Samaritans. Their free-to-call 116 123 number is open 24/7, 365 days a year and Jonathan is one of the thousands of volunteers who answer calls and messages from people who really need someone to talk to, with the clear aim of reducing the numbers of those who tragically die by suicide each year.
Our own Customer Involvement Panel (CIP) is supported by tenants who volunteer their time to provide us with an understanding of what our customers expect from Connexus. As well as helping to improve our services, volunteer Mike McClay is keen to tout the additional benefits of meeting and socialising with other volunteers.
And don’t be surprised if volunteering turns into something of a lifelong passion – just ask Independence Trust volunteer Linda Carter! Linda started volunteering for the Independence Trust over 35 years ago, supporting people with complex mental health issues make positive differences to their lives.
So, could you be like Linda? Volunteer today!
For more information on volunteering, please visit the Volunteers Week website here.
Interested in joining our Customer Involvement Panel? More info here.
