We were delighted to welcome 11 people into the Pop Up Beacon on Monday. It was an opportunity to thank the volunteers that contributed to our project last year, as well as a chance to meet some lovely new people keen to engage with the community.
Sam provided a delicious lentil and cumin soup and energy balls, I made beetroot hummus (obvs) and Jaimie led a beeswax wrap workshop. All our volunteers really enjoyed making this reusable version of cling film, not only will it help prevent plastic waste but it was also a nice memento of the evening.
After we ate, everyone shared their skills, what they could offer and what they were hoping to gain. We were surrounded by some very talented people whose skill set varied from translator to knitter! Most people said they wanted to get more involved with the Gorebridge community, as well as some looking for an excuse to get out the house.
What is particularly interesting about volunteering is that even though the primary aim is to help others, it also feels great! Research backs this up, indicating that it doesn’t just provide a warm glow and a sense of connection but it can improve mental health as well as reduce the risk of dying by 22%.
However, before becoming a volunteer, it’s important to ask yourself what you’d like to learn or accomplish from the experience. If you jump into an opportunity that doesn’t resonate with what you’re already passionate about on some level or doesn’t align with your current skills or interests, you could walk away with a negative volunteer experience, which would be a shame!
Here are some of the volunteering opportunities we have available:
- Upcycling and Repair Volunteer – this would really suit someone crafty or someone wanting to learn new crafty skills
- Community Engagement Volunteer – this would suit someone who enjoys community events
- Community Fridge Volunteer – this would suit anyone who has an interest in food, cooking, waste reduction and people
- Community Gardener – this would suit anyone who enjoys being outdoors
- Volunteer cycle ride assistant
- Health walk leader/back-marker – both these roles would suit someone keen to be a bit more active
20 Awesome Benefits of Volunteering
- Reassess your strengths and weaknesses
- Explore your interests
- Strengthen past skills
- Develop new skills
- Learn something new
- Become the teacher you never knew you were
- Broaden your horizons by interacting with new people & places
- Strengthen your compassion for others
- Improve or develop new interpersonal skills
- Gain a natural sense of accomplishment through helping others
- Achieve a new or strengthened sense of purpose
- Increase your self-esteem and self-confidence
- Have a brighter outlook on life
- Develop a new support system through those you meet volunteering
- Improve your physical health through more active volunteer opportunities
- Improve your overall mental health by helping others
- Experience greater happiness through volunteering
- Expect a healthier and longer life expectancy when you’re a regular volunteer
- Advance your career through new connections, work experience and skills
- Experience more fun and greater life fulfilment
If you are interested in volunteering with GCDT and the Greening Gorebridge Project please contact us, or email michaela.jackson@gorebridge.org.uk
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