We rely on our volunteers to enable us to deliver our services to the local community, we really couldn’t do it without the help and support of our 200+ volunteers. As part of Volunteers Week, our new Volunteer Coordinator, Chris Kelleher, shared his thoughts on the benefits of volunteering. Chris writes:
“There are clear benefits in volunteering which can go way beyond the benefits to individuals in need or to the volunteers themselves who get satisfaction from doing it. Volunteers want to help because it positively impacts on good causes, by doing so they contribute to building a more positive, happier and richer society as a whole.
Volunteering has clear benefits for the recipients and the volunteers themselves. For volunteers, they get to meet new people, be part of the community outside of their friends and family, they learn new things and acquire a new sense of purpose in helping others.
Volunteering can make a real difference to a beneficiary’s life, increasing practical and social skills, boosting confidence and enabling independence. It gives comfort in consistent support, promoting good relationship building which can filter into everyday life.
Abdul told us:
“Volunteering for KLS as a learning mentor has been rewarding and enriching. I started about 5 years ago and was fortunate to be matched with a mentee and family who were as excited about learning as I am.
The volunteering journey is rewarding – to observe a young person gain confidence and improve at homework is truly fantastic. To see that they are learning new skills is rewarding too. Volunteering can be enriching both ways: mentors can learn a lot from mentees as young people are very adept with media and online tools. ”
Mary is a learning mentor:
“I was looking for a new volunteer role after finishing as Royal Voluntary Service volunteer during the first two years of the Pandemic. A friend mentioned she was a mentor for a young person through a charity based in Surrey. I thought this is something that I could do to support a young person in my area.
I already knew about KLS through my daughter’s Secondary school, so decided to volunteer as a mentor.
The process was surprisingly quick! From applying to security checks to interview to training and being matched with my Mentee took only weeks rather than months.
I have had two sessions with my Mentee so far and I knew after the first session that we are well matched. My Mentee finds English, Maths and Science challenging but I think she just needs more confidence in her abilities. Her home life is busy and challenging but she approaches are sessions with enthusiasm and a smile. I look forward to both of us learning from our time together.”
Join Us
We have tons of volunteering opportunities on offer, from helping with Elders Lunch Club, supporting Tech Up sessions, helping at Homework Club, teaching English or Art to adults or for the green fingered helping to maintain our small garden!
Join us for coffee at KLS on Tuesday 14th June at 10am, meet the teams and find out how you could get involved. Please register here or contact [email protected]. Can’t make it in person? Join the online session at 6pm.