Making changes in 2025
Kathy Shaw Senior Development Officer at Hunts Forum gives a personal account of her volunteering journey and shares her future plans.
Volunteering could be the thing that changes the course of your life.
It certainly did for me when I volunteered for a homeless night shelter in the 1990s. I was a very disillusioned 20 something year old working for a bank and trying to save people money on their tax bills. I wondered if this was going to be my life forever- safe, boring and dull.
Volunteering at the night shelter was pivotal as it introduced me to the world of the voluntary sector and sparked up my curiosity on things I had little understanding about. I discovered the truth- homeless and human – I found out first hand, about personal choice, mental health (this is a lie as we didn’t talk about mental health then),addiction, the unfairness of life and social care systems. It shone a light on me and revealed a bigger picture of power, inequity and poorly understood issues,
At the shelter I made some good friends with volunteers, paid workers, homeless residents, each connection opened my eyes beyond the screen I sat by each day to monitor a pile of tax returns. I used my workplace to fundraise, I embarked upon an Open University degree and left my corporate job to be a paid worker in the voluntary sector.
From that point I now have a career rich in the experience and knowledge of funding, fundraising, development , policy and all the things that support social change , it stands me in good stead to support other organisations and understand the complex dynamics of the sector.
As I look towards 2025, I feel it’s time for change again, perhaps more intentional but one that may set out a new trajectory, and with the benefit of hindsight and courage of foresight, I ask myself 2 questions:
- Why would I volunteer in 2025?
- What sort of volunteer vacancies appeal to me?
Using Volunteer Cambs I set about exploring what the future possibilities could be by listing the reasons to volunteer and the possible things I could volunteer to do.
You may come up with similar lists and questions and wonder why not? Who knows your volunteer opportunity may lead you to a new friends, new skills or perhaps a new career?
Reasons to Volunteer 2025
Time is a big barrier but I often find myself peeling myself off a sofa after watching multiple episodes of something, or endless hours of scrolling on social media apps, on-line shopping and afterwards -I feel nothing – I can’t remember what I watched or what I looked at! What if I replaced that with a more meaningful and fulfilling voluntary activity?
Responsibility -I don’t want to take on another commitment, full-time work and being a single parent to 2 teenagers can be enough. But, at the end of the day it is my choice about what I volunteer to do and how much time I can give.
Connection- Real life socialising has diminished because of tech, Covid, and as I age I’m less inclined to be part of sports groups and less of a fan of nights out on the town. Meeting people through volunteering task will be a good reason to connect.
Challenge and Curiosity- there’s always a bit of me that seeks a challenge, nowadays I seem to be a scroller to other people’s adventures and I wonder where that curious mind that wanted to see life, warts and all has gone.
Personal and Professional Development- I don’t think I’ll ever be done, every new opportunity is a chance for development, to learn and become.
Time again– if not now, then when?
Volunteering Possibilities From Volunteer Cambs that interest me.
Event Organiser
I like the idea of helping out with events, it’s a great way to get to go somewhere (for free), meets lots of new people and support a cause that really interests me, especially for organisations that I know my family and friends have been very grateful for. I don’t expect this will feel like an over commitment of time either.
Business/Social Enterprise Leader
This role for a young person’s arts organisation appealed to me as it has endless possibilities but is a real challenge, something that would really enhance my personal and professional development too.
Clothes Swap Event Volunteer
I’ve always fancied going to a swishing event this would be a great opportunity to off-load my unwanted clothes from my new year clear out and pick some stylish new threads for 2025. It is also a one-off event, so it could fit in alongside other commitments.
Befriending Support for a Young Person
The limited knowledge I have of the care for young people doesn’t sit well with me- it seems inadequate – being able to support just one young person, to build a rapport and be a person who can listen and support someone would be a challenge, there something that lures me about a brand new challenge. This is the type of volunteer role that would really make me think deeply about the whys and wherefores, possibly pushing me in a new direction.
Drawing up my lists has been a useful exercise to help me try to understand why I want to volunteer to something that suits where I am in life. What’s on your list and where will 2025 take you?
