News
08 May 2009Value of Volunteering
Volunteering is often seen as an altruistic way for people to work for the greater good. Yet whilst this is true, volunteering has other benefits too. With structured support, grass roots volunteering can give enormous personal satisfaction to the individual, as well as help to create stronger, more active communities and make a positive contribution to the economy. Groundwork looks into the ‘pro bono’ phenomenon.
According to government statistics, in 2005 over 20 million people in England volunteered formally or informally at least once a month. Behind this impressive statistic lies a wide range of different motivations. Last year’s floods across the UK saw whole communities volunteering out of necessity, working together to overcome desperate situations. At other times, people volunteer through personal choice - giving their time and resources in support of an issue or cause they believe in.
The potential of the voluntary sector has not gone unnoticed by the Government, which estimates the current contribution made by volunteers to service provision and support is equivalent to over 1 million full-time workers. The Office for the Third Sector’s recent joint review with the Treasury acknowledges the contribution a culture of volunteering and mentoring can make to society if provided with continued investment, while the Prime Minister has also spoken of his commitment to investing in a national framework for youth volunteering when announcing £117 million funding for the youth volunteering charity, v.
So the quiet, unassuming volunteer is making people at the very heart of national policy-making sit up and take notice. Groundwork’s work with volunteers this year has led to young people and adults spending a total of 462,000 days working with their local communities and improving their neighbourhoods.
In Wansbeck over 40 volunteers regularly took part in a unique programme called Community Greenspaces. This two year project encouraged over 4500 residents to prioritise areas of improvement in their neighbourhoods and supported local people in making these improvements.
Managed by Groundwork, volunteers could take part in over 240 sessions where they were provided with free training and mentoring to deliver environmental improvements across over 160 hectares of derelict and run down greenspaces across the district.
Kathleen Parker-Shiel from Newbiggin- by- Sea who volunteered on the project sai d “ Im almost 65 years of age and with Groundwork Im learning all the time! I’ve learned so much and enjoy my own garden now. And I pass on my knowledge all the time”
Volunteers were supported in developing a range of skills including conservation skills , operating tools and machinery, as well as an awareness of local wildlife and protecting and enhancing greenspace and the countryside .
Evaluations of the project show how volunteering also encouraged participants to feel better about themselves, increasing their self confidence, social skills as well as their knowledge and awareness of the environment. In some cases volunteering helped volunteers to overcome social isolation by getting them out of the house and giving them the satisfaction of helping others.
Jane Austin Walker, Community Greenspaces Officer at Groundwork added:
“The value of mentoring in volunteering projects like this is clear, people are more likely to complete projects and or training programmes if they are mentored and good mentoring can help resolve personal life problems too.”
“And many of the sites Community Greenspaces volunteers worked on have since won awards- a testament of the high calibre of volunteers out there and the added value they can bring to traditional local authority services.”
In South Tyneside & Newcastle, Groundwork is offering volunteer placements for young people aged 16 – 25 with a passion for the environment and the outdoors through their V for Volunteering project.
Here people have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience including learning how to teach young people and families about environmental issues, trying out practical conservation skills and encouraging healthy lifestyles with communities. As part of the placement volunteers also work towards the Platinum Level Youth Achievement Award and they receive living and travel expenses of up to £80 per week for placements of up to 6months thanks to funding from National Grid and v*.
Lisa Kennedy who has recently completed a six month placement speaks of the scheme saying:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering with Groundwork. My confidence has increased, I have gained new skills and I have made some really good friends. It is also a great addition to my CV.”
Sarah Dinning, Education Coordinator at Groundwork in the South Tyneside & Newcastle area, who manages the scheme feels that programmes like these are crucial in developing the commitment and skills of volunteers.
“ V for Volunteering is a great project. It provides fantastic opportunities for young people to share their talents and spend their time improving their own community.”
“The combination of accredited training, mentoring and cooperative working is a powerful one and has the potential to deliver real change in people’s neighbourhoods”.
For further information on volunteering opportunities at Groundwork visit www.groundwork-northeast.org.uk or visit www.volunteering.org.uk
