What do the following places and organisations have in common? Sports clubs, hospitals, schools, places of worship, museums, historic houses, parks, care homes, theatres, emergency services, libraries, pet rescue centres?
The answer is, all of them – and many more – rely on volunteers in order to carry out the important work that they do. You may not have fully realised it, but all around you, every day, there are people who volunteer their time to ensure that the facilities they love can continue to thrive: whether that is acting as board trustees, conducting tours, assisting patients, coaching a team, organising a fundraiser, or pitching in to any of the other jobs that need doing. Volunteers are vital for so many familiar sectors of our society.
Indeed, it has been estimated that volunteers contribute up to £4.6 billion to our economy each year. This may go unnoticed by official statistics, but the impact of it can certainly be felt up and down the country. It will be no surprise to hear that the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim traditions all encourage volunteering and the service of others, showing how regardless of background or beliefs, the benefit of giving up time for the greater good is recognised all across the world.
It’s not just about what volunteering can do to improve the lives of others, though: volunteering also offers benefits to the individuals who volunteer. Not only is there intrinsic value in feeling like you are part of something greater, which is improving the community around you, boosting your self-esteem, more practically it’s a great way to gain invaluable working experience and prove your ability to commit to something, to sacrifice your time for others, and to learn new skills.
For me, personally, volunteering in a number of ways has been hugely beneficial. I have made friends I otherwise wouldn’t have and been able to grow and develop my own skillset, adapting to new situations and, above all, getting a real sense of accomplishment from the knowledge that I have done something to help the others around me. For example, just this past weekend, I had the pleasure of being on the organising team for my local fun run; the hard work paid off when we saw the smiles on all 200 participants faces as they crossed the finish line.
So, now you want to try some volunteering for yourself. What opportunities are there? It doesn’t have to be anything grand to begin with! We are very lucky here at the RGS to be presented with many ways to volunteer through the School, so why not simply take advantage of one of these next time they are offered to you? This might be taking a tour or helping at a subject open evening, coaching a sports team lower down the School, or leading a society you enjoy. There are also many ways in which we as a school engage with the wider community, such as helping with a food bank collection, care home visit, or environmental working party. Of course, you could also have a go at any volunteering schemes near you; volunteers are almost always in high demand, so often all you have to do is ask.
If you take just one thing away from today’s reflection, I’d like it to be this: have a think about how many of the organisations I mentioned at the beginning have impacted you positively: healing an injury, teaching you something new, helping you find a beloved pet. Why not give some of that back, by volunteering for any of them soon?
Adrian Groenewald
Senior Prefect