As lead for the Sheffield Volunteering Strategy, I gave an interview to Action for Employment recently.  Watch here for information about volunteering in Sheffield.

 What kind of volunteering do you do?

I help deliver and develop the Moving Forwards Project at Nomad. That includes one-to-one support for learners, necessary admin, interviewing applicants.

What skills have you learnt / used?

Interpersonal skills, developing a project, listening actively, whole range of good communication, being part of a team, diplomacy, planning.

What made you decide to volunteer?

Having been helped by Shelter I felt inspired to do so.  The time was right, the opportunity was there.

How did you arrange your volunteer work?

Application form, interview, followed by a course.

Was it easy to become a volunteer?

Very – the Nomad managers were very supportive.

How long have you been involved with volunteering?

3-4 years.

What do you feel you have achieved through volunteering?

I have a major, positive impact on people’s lives which has been a privilege. 

Have you faced any challenges to you volunteering?

Changes within the organisation, staff etc.  Adjusting to new people and situations – recognising my boundaries as a volunteer.

How did you overcome those challenges?

Talking to my project manager who is extremely supportive and understanding.

Why would you recommend volunteering?

Get out of the flat!  Meet people, use your invaluable life experience.

If you’re looking for ways of meeting new people, volunteering is a great option – you may be particularly interested in the Sheffield opportunities we highlighted in June.

I feel volunteering gives you a different perspective on the world, it gives you an understanding of others.   Volunteering has helped me greatly with my confidence, and while volunteering I have met and made friends with lots of different people. The skills I have learnt I can take back into the work place and it gives me a broadened outlook.

 I have mainly worked with children from inner city areas and those with special needs. I have learnt to be more tolerant of others and understanding of how peoples backgrounds affects their behaviour.  I have been lucky to work for John Lewis who has facilitated this.

 I wanted to volunteer as I have 3 children myself who I have given as many opportunities to experience different environments and situations – I wanted to help other children who haven’t had those opportunities to experience them, especially centred on the environment.

 I currently volunteer at Whirlow Hall Farm and cannot see my life without it as I am so passionate about the work it does to educate children about food and the importance of the environment.

Sheffield is home to many many volunteers – probably over 100,000 in fact.  And 15 of them have grouped together to become Volunteering Ambassadors (in fact Rich, who wrote the last entry, is one of them).  They are fantastic people, all very different in terms of age, background, working status etc, but with one thing in common: they are all passionate about volunteering and want to let other people know how great it is.

The Volunteering Ambassadors will pop up on this website from time to time.  You may meet them out and about too, as they are going to different events across Sheffield to let as many people as possible know about the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved.  On Sunday three of them, Chrissie, John and Sarah, braved the rain to have a stall at Picnic in the Park in Endcliffe Park… and their good deeds must have paid off as thankfully the rain eased off once the event started!  

I would like to say a big thank you to all the Volunteering Ambassadors for all their great work and enthusiasm – you’re all brilliant!  Below are some photos of them (mostly taken by Sarah herself) so you can recognise them when you see them! 

Claire Walsh, Strategic Volunteering Manager, Voluntary Action Sheffield

Picnic in the Park - Sarah Cole

Picnic in the Park - John Lewis - Photography by www.sarahcolephotography.co.uk

Picnic in the Park - Chrissie Grant - Photography by www.sarahcolephotography.co.uk

Volunteering Ambassadors Get Together!

I have done lots of volunteering over the last few years and have always found it a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. After my A-Levels I volunteered in Accra, Ghana, taking football coaching sessions for young people. While at University I also worked as a literacy volunteer in a local primary school. Having chosen to study postgraduate Social Work at Sheffield University I knew I would have to get some relevant experience and volunteering provided that opportunity. I’ve volunteered for St Luke’s Hospice Shop on Ecclesall Road, worked in the office at Heeley City Farm, done lots of things with the Children’s Society project, Embrace, mentor a young person twice monthly through SOVA (Sheffield Youth Mentoring Scheme) and am currently looking at setting up an ‘Active Community against Trafficking’ group, through Stop the Traffik.

What skills have you learnt/used?

Volunteering gives you a chance to use the skills and expertise you have as well as learning and developing new ones, often in areas you would never have thought of before. Take me for example, by working at Heeley City Farm I have learned masses about IT, something I never associated with volunteering there. It also develops your confidence, gives you the freedom to choose what and when you want do something and opens up opportunities for training and meeting new people.

What made you decide to volunteer?

There are lots of reasons people choose to volunteer, whether it be a desire to make a difference, meet new people, improve your health, gain new skills and experience, the list is endless. For me it was a combination of things really. My time in Ghana came about because I had done lots of studying about the country and wanted to see what it was really like and have the chance to make a real difference to those less fortunate than myself. Volunteering at University really just came from me having too much time on my hands and the feeling that lots of students were getting a bad reputation for not contributing anything to the local community. My latest volunteering exploits were motivated by a desire to change my career direction. I wanted to become a social worker and felt that volunteering would be a great way to gain the necessary skills and experience. I also wanted to broaden my horizons and work in different places with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

How did you arrange your volunteer work?

I used the website www.do-it.org to arrange my volunteer work. It could not be simpler, you just type in your location, how far you are willing to travel, the type of work/area you’re interested in, when you’re available and the search engine comes up with a list of opportunities which match your criteria. If you have the confidence, speculative phone calls or visits to different organisations is also a great way to seek out volunteer opportunities.

Was it easy to become a volunteer?

It is really easy to become a volunteer because you almost always find that organisations are crying out for your help and they do all that they can to make you feel welcome and involved. Most opportunities now require an Enhanced Criminal Records Check but this is a simple enough process, with staff usually on hand to help you with any form filling!

How long have you been involved with volunteering?

I have been involved in volunteering since I left College at 18 and intend to keep volunteering while ever time permits.

What do you feel you have achieved through volunteering?

Hopefully the voluntary work I have done has made a positive difference, especially to the young people I have worked with who often face a multitude of problems, most of which they have not created. I also feel it has benefitted me personally, opening up lots of new opportunities and giving me the opportunity to meet lots of amazing people from all walks of life.

Have you faced any challenges to you volunteering?

When volunteering you do face challenges but often they are fun and if things are difficult you are well supported by staff. For example, at both SOVA and Embrace you are given regular support and supervisions in which to discuss any problems/difficulties that may arise. The hardest challenge I faced was probably identifying and dealing with child protection related issues but this is a rarity and you are given relevant training and support to deal with such instances.

How did you overcome those challenges?

Any challenges or difficulties can easily be discussed with your mentor or line manager who are well trained and equipped to help you. Nine times out of ten you are working alongside a paid member of staff who is there to help you deal with any problems or issues. In the case of my particular challenge relating to child protection, my mentor and I discussed what we had seen and put together an action plan to ensure the safety of the child.

Why would you recommend volunteering?

I would recommend volunteering to anyone! There are millions of reason why everyone should get involved in volunteering, even if that means giving up a few hours once a month! Obviously it benefits the organisation and the people associated with it, tremendously, but what people often forget is that it is you the volunteer who stands to gain the most! You meet new people, feel like you’re doing something valuable and worthwhile, get a break/change from your day job/routine, learn new skills and develop your confidence! It can also help you achieve specific goals, for example if you want a change in career, volunteering could be the answer, allowing you to try new things and gain necessary experience.

Do you think volunteering will improve your employability?

Without a doubt, volunteering improves your employability. It gives you something to talk about at interviews and shows that you have varied interests and experiences. I got my current role at Heeley City Farm by starting out and proving myself as a volunteer. I also know that I would never have been accepted on to Sheffield University’s postgraduate Social Work course without having gained the necessary experience through volunteering.

I am 31 years old and live in Southey with my two children and am a single parent and am very happy to be one.

I left school at 16 as I couldn’t wait to leave.  I didn’t do very well at school mainly because I was hardly ever there, I often played truant.  When I left school I went on a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) in catering.  I worked as a catering assistant in Meadowhall for 3 1/2 years.  I have also done factory work.  I haven’t worked for quite a few years as I have been bringing up my children. 

 In March 2009 I became a Health Champion [volunteer] to help both myself and others in the local area to get fit and healthy.  I have learned a lot about the community as a whole and have learned a lot about myself in the process.  I can do much more than I ever thought I could. 

 I volunteer alongside my friend Claire organising a walk which takes place every Wednesday. People of all ages are encouraged to participate and the group is made up of all ages, men and women.  I also buddy a young lady, Louise, who has learning difficulties.  I take her to the gym once a week and she has begun to mix with others.  Louise has also started to come to the Wednesday walk and is doing really well.  She no longer has to bring her mother with her as she did at first, she is wearing clothes more suited to a young woman and is taking a real interest in her appearance. She would like to get involved in volunteering and I thought perhaps she could shadow me for a while as a Health Champion. I feel really proud of Louise and the impact that myself, as a Health Champion, has had on her life. 

 Being a Health Champion has given me the hope of gaining employment. I would like to take a course at university on working within the community as this is the type of work I would like to do helping others achieve their own goals.  I have had access to training and this has built up my confidence, made me a calmer person and has made me and my family healthier, fitter and happier.

 [Since writing this article Michelle has gained a paid job through her volunteering, with Healthy Cross!]

To watch a video about the Sheffield Health Champions, click here!