At an event on 17th October 2023, The Volunteer Centre at Community Works brought together VCSE organisation to discuss volunteering in the city; how this has changed over years (particularly since the pandemic), what motivates people to volunteer and how organisation can support and retain volunteers.
SIS was asked if one of our volunteers would like to give a brief presentation about their involvement. We were thrilled that SIS Telephone Befriending and Social Prescribing Volunteer, Tala Bell, took up this opportunity and wrote an inspiring piece about her experiences. The whole piece can be read here, with some extracts below, illustrating why she joined SIS, her impressions of working with SIS and the wider benefits of volunteering.
I agreed with SIS’s sentiment “Everybody should have someone to talk to” and thought it was a great opportunity, which seemed like such a good fit, to give something back to my current community.
The first impression I received of SIS set the tone for my entire experience. I was welcomed warmly and the team explained how my roles fit into the bigger picture of the organisation. That friendly and informative welcome made me feel valued and excited to join the team.
It has given me the opportunity to promote my own wellbeing with tons of physical and mental rewards like building new strengths, making new friends and reducing stress
Invitation to events and celebrations, such as picnics, tea parties, Service User Days and the AGM, make volunteers proud and motivated to continue their work. SIS know this is an important part of making the volunteers feel that they belong to a community of like-minded people who share their passion and values.
I believe volunteers are inspired by cause so, by involving them with exchanging information you can make them feel respected and empowered as part of the organisation.
