Why volunteering is so important - a blog by Caroline Burkie, PR and Fundraising Manager for WESC Foundation
National Volunteers' Week is in full swing and I felt compelled to write a blog about why I think volunteering is so important to charities, and importantly to the charity I work for, WESC Foundation.
If this blog inspires you, please pass it on to others and should you ever consider volunteering, we would love to hear from you....
I’ve only ever worked in the charity sector and I have chosen to dedicate my career to this for a variety of reasons. I have to believe in who and what I am working for and I have to know that the energy I put in to my working week is making a difference, and that’s what I believe I have in common with everyone who dedicates their time to volunteering at WESC Foundation.
I love finding out why our volunteers have got involved and what led them to our front door. Without exception, everyone volunteers because they believe in what WESC stands for – enabling the children and young people to become as independent and confident as possible. Everyone is driven by their heart and that’s a very special energy to be surrounded by on a daily basis.
The fundraising team at WESC is small – I am joined by Maggie, our part time Fundraiser; Andrew who writes applications to Trusts and Kim, our part time assistant. It’s not very often you’ll hear a charity saying their resources aren’t stretched and volunteers are an absolute lifeline to most charities, and particularly in our case, as our team is so small.
The support of our volunteer network is essential, it helps us in so many ways – from allowing us to put on more fundraising events, to completing more tasks on a daily or weekly basis and this in turn means we are able to reach more people and engage with them about WESC and the lives of the children and young people in our care.
When I am juggling several tasks, whether it is speaking to major donors or writing the fundraising newsletter, I know I can rely on our volunteers to take care and pride in their work. It often leaves me sitting at my desk in awe of their dedication. For example, a job like stuffing envelopes sounds boring, but (and there’s a huge but), when there are five like-minded people chatting away, drinking tea and dunking biscuits, stuffing 5,000 envelopes is far from boring! It is an enjoyable and rewarding activity for our volunteers, especially when I explain to our volunteers that the newsletters provide a great way of generating interest and donations from recipients. Knowing the outcome of stuffing envelopes then becomes even more appealing and dare I say it, even exciting!
Volunteers are very much part of the WESC team and together, we are able to make a real difference to the lives of the children and young people and that’s an indescribable feeling. That feeling is part of my day and it also becomes part of our volunteers’ day.
Over the years, I have volunteered for my favourite charities and to be honest, I have had different experiences with each of them. Not all have been positive, but I think this has helped me appreciate and understand how to help create an enjoyable experience for our volunteers, whether it is someone who will volunteer for us once, or someone able to give their time on a more regular basis.
I love how diverse volunteering roles can be. There’s something to suit everyone. When I first started volunteering I admit I was a bit worried about what they’d ask me to do so we’ve created a culture within WESC Foundation that it’s of utmost importance to make sure the volunteer is really happy with what they are doing. I would say that if you’re enquiring about a volunteering role, be honest about what you like to do, it’s your time at the end of the day and the happier you are, the longer you’ll commit to the charity and the more helpful you’ll be.
Having volunteered for a number of years, I know how I wanted to be treated when volunteering and I do everything I can to make sure our volunteers feel special and appreciated. Every volunteer is different and it’s important to us to be aware of their talents and to know that one size doesn’t fit all. Some volunteers get in touch because they want to remember skills they used to have if they’ve been out of work, others are looking for company and some do it for the buzz of having variety in their week. Others do it simply because it feels right for them to give something back. Whatever the reasons, we spend time with our volunteers so they get to know the ins and outs of the organisation. It’s important for them and us to feel an honest connection with the children and young people they are supporting.
I have had the pleasure of working alongside all of our fundraising volunteers and they come from every background you can imagine. I suppose in that sense, being part of an organisation’s volunteer family breaks down every barrier out there. Everyone is joining together and collaborating for the good of others. I know at WESC, it’s important for our volunteers to know quickly that there is no ‘them and us’ (the employed), we’re all there for the same reasons which is to give the children and young people the very best start in life and to help fill their lives with happiness.
I have met many of the shop volunteers when I drop my items off for them to sell. One thing they all have in common is that they love to find out about the achievements of the children and young people. Feeding back the good news stories, for example the day Holly went to London for the very first time or the first time the all year round learners got to go on a week’s holiday on Exmoor, taking part in tarantula holding, kayaking, abseiling, sailing and so much more, brings it back to everyone that all these firsts are possible because of the time and skills the volunteers have given. It fills them with pride, together we are proud.
At WESC Foundation I see the children and young people every day, whether it’s first thing in the morning when they’re on their way to registration or when I block out time in my day to take part in a drumming workshop or to observe a hydrotherapy session. My job as a fundraiser is to tell as many real life stories to as many people as possible – once I do, it doesn’t take much more to gain their support. Our volunteers also gain this experience and they too help to spread the word about the care and support offered to people in their community. It is a joy to see how passionately our volunteers support what we are doing here at WESC.
Volunteers are WESC’s ambassadors. Every time someone asks one of our volunteers what they’re up to at the weekend and they say ‘I’m holding a coffee morning to raise some money for WESC Foundation’, they are immediately helping us to raise a positive awareness of the charity which is priceless. We all know that word of mouth remains the most powerful tool to communicate an organization’s aims and our volunteers help us in so many ways to gain further support in their local communities.
Because of people volunteering for WESC Foundation our social enterprise is award winning. It enables the young people at WESC Foundation college to gain real life work experience in the shops every week. Our volunteers work alongside the young people helping to increase their confidence, independence and life skills.
Because of people volunteering for WESC we have raised money to complete life changing projects including underwater hydrotherapy equipment, and entire sensory rooms fully kitted out with bubble lamps, tactile wall panels, bean bags and interactive sensory floors.
And because of people volunteering for WESC Foundation we have been able to provide transport thanks to volunteer drivers to get the children and young people to Ten Tors training on Dartmoor, trips to see the donkeys, weekly trips to practise their horticulture skills at Dawlish Garden Trust and so much more.
Having a team of volunteers allows the specialist WESC team to remain as efficient, capable and impactful as we are.
In my volunteering career I have dressed up as a chicken (yes that’s me in the chicken costume!), stuffed thousands of fundraising appeals into envelopes, stood on the streets of cities collecting money, cleaned dog kennels, baked cakes and input data, I have ‘meeted and greeted’, registered participants and packed bags.
Along the way I have laughed until I cried, been moved beyond what I knew was possible, wept with happiness, met some incredible people, got soaked in the rain, listened to mind blowing stories of what a difference we have all made and shared passion.
If you’re waiting for another time to start volunteering you may just miss out on one of the best things that could ever happen to you, giving love to others. Pick up the phone now, go online now, we’re really looking forward to meeting you.
Warning: volunteering comes with heaps of satisfaction, personal reward, hugs, sheer joy and soul enriching benefits.
Caroline
If you have been inspired by Caroline’s blog and would like to find out how you can help transform the lives of the children and young people at WESC Foundation please contact
Helen Smith: hsmith@wescfoundation.ac.uk / 01392 454 208.
Or visit wescfoundation.ac.uk and head to the Get Involved page.
