Volunteer Stories

The TSI is delighted to have hosted a student from the University of Dundee, Jay Stuart, who has helped us interview volunteers and their managers asking the question: Why Volunteer? "I recently was given the opportunity to meet some of our volunteers and volunteer managers and interviewed them on why they chose to volunteer. My interviews took place in two PKAVS facilities. The Walled Garden and the Carers Centre. Many people choose to give their time to help volunteer for many reasons. Margaret, a volunteer at the Carers Centre, spent her time being a carer for her husband for many years without much knowledge on how to help him. A local nurse introduced her to the free carers programme to get the help they both needed. She gained a lot of knowledge from this time and after her husband passed, she wanted to give back to those who helped her. She has been at the Carers Centre for two years now and absolutely loves spending her time there. She does not feel pressured to come in everyday and is a part of the local choir who have done concerts for different charities. Volunteering has made an incredibly positive difference to her life and advises anyone to volunteer. She urges only a few hours a week still helps the community and mentions the flexibility of the role - "The hours are very flexible so its fine if you have any appointments and cannot make it one week." The Carers Centre is full of lovely and welcoming staff and volunteers showing how only a small amount of your time can help make a difference. If you have any experience in caring, or want to gain some, it would be a wonderful way to get out of the house and help others. At the Walled Garden, which focuses on mental health, David one of the peer support workers started as a client and become a volunteer for a few years before moving into a paid role. There are many opportunities available, including arts and crafts, health walks, trips, and gardening. There is lots of free training for staff and volunteers. Volunteers are vital in supporting roles for the running of the activities offered to the clients. Janice is the recovery and development officer at the Walled Garden she oversees volunteer recruitment, management of volunteers and all-around support. There are currently 30 volunteers over two locations who have warmth and empathy and are willing to support the clients and have fun. The staff and Janice are open to feedback given by volunteers and want to make sure everyone is comfortable. People with lived experiences of mental health issues are very understanding of what they are doing at the Walled Garden. There are many reasons why you should volunteer, if you have experience with what a certain charity is doing, if you want to help the community or any certain group, you should start volunteering! There is a lot going on in the world right now and if you can give a few hours of your time to support a cause then you should give it a go. You can volunteer through many organisations, community groups or your local charity shop. There are many volunteering opportunities available to join now through Be the change." Jay Stuart.

Mark has been a volunteer in the CATH Shop for 10 years, and has also been a Trustee member for the charity since 2016. He provides assistance and a welcoming smile to customers in the shop, and has a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector. When Mark joined CATH he had just moved back to Perth, having previously volunteered for St Theresa's Hospice in Darlington, on a large-scale refurbishment project. He is a firm believer in being part of the community, taking pride in making positive contributions and a real difference in people's lives. Mark highly recommends volunteering as a great way to start in the workforce and gain experience whilst being supported through learning. Thank you Mark for everything you do ,we are extremely grateful for your hard work and fantastic contribution you make to CATH. To find out more about volunteering with CATH you can look on their Be the Change profile: Churches Action for the Homeless | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross)

"Being a volunteer coordinator is a very rewarding job. I didn’t know such a role existed until I joined OATS volunteering programme." - Eva Kupska, Volunteer Coordinator, OATS. Hi! My name is Eva and I am the Outdoor Access Volunteer Coordinator for the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, also known as OATS. This is the story of how I went from volunteering to finding my dream job as a volunteer coordinator for OATS. I have always enjoyed being outdoors, and there have been times I’ve considered a career that would allow me to spend time in the hills, but other things got in the way. It was a very long and twisty path to get here! When I moved to the UK in 2005, I worked in a horse yard and thought that was going to be my job forever. I loved horses. However, I ended up working in restaurants and coffee shops, moving from place to place. After settling down in Perthshire, I decided to join Outdoor Instructor Trainee programme. Unfortunately, a car accident cancelled my plans. It took 6 months to recover, and I was told that I should refrain from strenuous physical activity and find a sedentary job. That terrified me, and I did the exact opposite; I started exercising and got fit, aiming to walk up the hills again. At the same time, I started studying a Visual Communication Bachelor's Degree. My thoughts were: “Being a graphic designer or illustrator is probably the only sedentary job I could stand”. All my free time was spent outside, on a bike, running, walking, camping … I then got a chance to get Mountain Bike Leader qualifications. Suddenly, I was leading guided rides and again considering a career as an Outdoor Instructor. But after finishing my degree, I got comfortable working at a local coffee roastery. It was an enjoyable job, I was quite good at it, the team was great, so why leave? Some years later, I was out running in the Angus Glens and when descending from one of the hills I came across a group repairing the path. They turned out to be volunteers from Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS). Even though I had previously done some mountain bike trail building, I had never given many thoughts to the mountain footpaths. That day, when I got home, I went straight onto the OATS website and signed up for a volunteering day. They used to run on Sundays and Mondays. I only had free weekends, so I went along on Sundays whenever I could. Shona, the Activity Projects Manager at the time, chatted to me about the way she started her career in environmental sector and thanks to the way the internet works, everything ‘environmental’ was popping out as soon as I was online. Taking up volunteering was hugely beneficial to build up experience and I was helping a good cause at the same time. I found a part-time long distance learning course at SRUC - Wildlife and Conservation Management. It was manageable while having a full-time job. First, I approached it as something I wanted to learn for myself, but soon I felt like there were more meaningful jobs I could do than roasting coffee (Apologies to all coffee addicts!). Suddenly, the OATS volunteering programme changed and it no longer ran on Sundays. I started to take time off work to be able to continue; I realised I would probably have to do a lot of different volunteering activities to gain practical skills and experiences before I could even think of applying for a conservation-type job. This led me to get a job as a postie in rural Perthshire, to have more time for studying and to be closer to the outdoors. Maybe a risky move, but the current work was far too comfortable, and I think I needed a “shock to the system” to really take a career change seriously. Soon after, I found out that Shona was leaving her post. I jumped at the possibility to fill in the position, but the job role that came up required much more experience than I had. I applied anyway but, understandably, was not successful. A few months later, OATS got in touch to say the Volunteer Coordinator position had opened up. Again, I wasn’t successful the first time around, but then a phone call came to say the role was mine if I was still interested! Career change is not an easy process but if there is something you are passionate about, it is worth it. Being a volunteer coordinator is a very rewarding job. I didn’t know such a role existed until I joined OATS volunteering programme. The combination of organizing volunteering days, being outdoors with like-minded people, conservation work and promoting responsible outdoor access is the perfect fit for me!

Volunteering with the Mental Health and Wellbeing service at The Walled Garden and Wisecraft involves supporting clients in their chosen activities. Like their clients, volunteers are allocated sessions that fit with any other commitments they might have and they are free to choose which activity is of most interest to them. There is no obligation to be skilled in any of their activity areas just to have a passion for learning and supporting people. Activities run on a daily basis during the week and are broken into 2.5 hr sessions. They encourage volunteers to attend the same session/s each week to help with continuity of care and building meaningful relationships with staff and clients, however there is of course flexibility depending on each individual circumstance. Their volunteers are from all walks of life, young and old and may have lived experience of mental health difficulties but are at a point in their own recovery where they are able to support others. They often have students volunteering who find that the service and setting is beneficial for enhancing their studies. Most commonly Psychology but also Counselling and Health and Nutrition type courses. Aime is a young person who volunteered with them in their Creative Wellbeing activities while she studied Psychology at Stirling University and they knew her from a previous volunteering placement she did with them. Janice from the Walled Garden says 'It’s been great to see her again and see how she has developed personally and be able to offer her the opportunity to use volunteering to aid her studies and experience.' Aime says: “ As a psychology student who has lived experience of ill mental health, I have been able to use this to my advantage at the walled garden to act as a role model to the clients in order to show people that recovery is possible. I have been able to not only develop my confidence massively but gain experience of how psychological theory can be applied in practical aspects of work. I have gained lots of experience while volunteering here and it has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to come back. As a short-lived volunteer in 2017 I see lots of amazing improvements within the garden, and I have enjoyed getting to know the clients which has been my best memory of 2023. As an individual who has overcame their own mental health battles it is nice and encouraging to see that within Perth there is a safe environment for individuals to enhance their wellbeing through activities such as that of art. I enjoy seeing improvements within the clients such as that of improved self-esteem and confidence as it is always nice to know people are on the right track to recovery and a better wellbeing !” To find out about current opportunities check out the Walled Garden and Wisecraft's Be the Change page: PKAVS Walled Garden & Wisecraft | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross)

Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring project for care experienced young people. The project operates in 15+ locations across the UK and launched for the first time in Perth and Kinross in 2022. They recruit, train and support volunteer mentors (normally but not exclusively aged 50+) who draw on their wealth of professional and personal life experience and skills to support young people (aged 16-25) through life transitions on their pathway to independence. This is a story about the impact being a Grandmentor can have on a young person: Adrian first met Matthew in May 2023. At 16, Matthew was living in long-term foster care, unsure of his future but unhappy with his current situation. Despite this uncertainty, he had shown leadership potential as a senior member of a local Officer Cadet company, guiding younger cadets. His main interests were gaming and his foster family’s dogs, but he had little engagement beyond that. Having decided to leave school, Matthew had enrolled in a Business Administration course at a local college. Adrian encouraged him to make the most of his studies, but the course failed to inspire him. By March 2024, Matthew lost his place and was asked to leave his foster home. Social services arranged safe shared accommodation, but his future remained uncertain. At this stage, Adrian and Matthew had built enough trust for honest conversations. “You need to take control of your life,” Adrian urged, encouraging Matthew to take ownership of his choices. These discussions, though challenging, gradually shifted Matthew’s outlook. By September, there was a noticeable change. He had chosen a Game Development course, secured temporary work, and was learning programming in preparation. His newfound confidence was evident, and their mentoring relationship evolved into open, constructive discussions. Adrian says: “Mentoring is a relationship somewhere between supportive friend, coach, champion and critic. At times you may be called on to be all four at once! Key is to first build trust. Coaching them to see their potential and all the world has to offer is hard, but be patient. When you see them start to achieve, then it all becomes so worthwhile." Could you be the next Grandmentor? Find out more and register your interest here: Volunteering Matters | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross)

Meet Findlay Findlay initially went to CATH's charity shop to volunteer as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and is still volunteering with them over 8 years later! Recently graduating with a degree in Art and Contemporary Practices he's a keen artist, and particularly enjoys works from the Impressionist movement. He has seen an exhibition of one of his favourite painters, Claude Monet, at the National Gallery. As well as being creative, he enjoys a physical game of volleyball and plays for his University team who recently reached the Varsity final. While volunteering for CATH, he enjoys meeting new people, helping others and engaging with the community. Findlay recommends volunteering to everyone as a great way to interact with the community and learn new things. He says "I definitely recommend volunteering, it's not like a job, it's fun and it gets you out the house for a few hours. I enjoy engaging with other people and it's helped develop my social skills over the years." If Findlay's story inspires you to try out volunteering with CATH, visit their Be the Change profile here.

Have you ever considered befriending? Befriending is a relationship supported by an organisation to enable meaningful connections. It helps reduce loneliness and isolation. It is nurturing, trusting and enriching. Befriending hopes to achieve positive outcomes and prevent negative ones, for individuals and communities. This is a testimony from a volunteer befriender from Aberlour Children's Charity: "I started working with Aberlour in 2022, having been out of work for a whilst due to mental health issues . I felt that to improve me mental health and not to feel so isolated that I decided to go down the route of volunteering . I came across Aberlour online and as my previous employment involved working with children and families and also community work , I felt that Aberlour had the right volunteering opportunities for me and was also looking for a challenge . What also attracted me to Aberlour was the training and online courses they offered , I have thoroughly enjoyed them and have gained more knowledge which I can use in my volunteering role and future employment , and am studying other qualifications also at present . I thoroughly enjoy my volunteer mentor role . I look forward to meeting with the family on a weekly basis . I help them to overcome barriers ,give practical help, support and advice . It’s so rewarding when you see the family thriving and moving forward . It’s an extremely rewarding role and has helped me to gain more experience , knowledge and confidence . One thing I need to mention is that the support I get from my coordinator is amazing . She has been a great help easing me into my volunteer role and I know that she is always there if there are any issues that come up . I would highly recommend volunteering with Aberlour . They are an amazing charity , helping Scotland’s most vulnerable children , young people and their families." This volunteer worked with a family but the befriending opportunities available in your community are diverse and come in many forms. If you like the sound of befriending with Aberlour, head over to their Be the Change profile now! For more information on Befriending visit befriending.co.uk.

At this year's AGM, PKAVS asked their colleagues, volunteers and service users this question: what does PKAVS mean to you? Here is an inspiring response from David Batchelor, Peer Support Worker at The Walled Garden & Wisecraft, who began his journey with PKAVS as a client and then a volunteer. Do you have a volunteering story you'd like to share? Email us at info@bethechangepk.org.uk.