Building Confidence Through Volunteering: Travis’ Story

Travis Watson, 21, is local to Greenock and was unsure what direction to take after finishing education. Through support from Skills Development Scotland and CVS Inverclyde, he was introduced to volunteering and encouraged to explore opportunities linked to his interests and the type of experience he wanted to gain.

After speaking with the team, Travis began volunteering with The Wyllieum, and quickly found a role he really enjoyed.

His volunteer role includes welcoming visitors arriving in Inverclyde from cruise ships, supporting the gallery shop and helping on the till. Over time, Travis has also built up knowledge of the gallery exhibitions, George Wyllie’s work and visiting artists, which he now enjoys sharing with visitors.

One of the biggest positives for Travis has been the social side of volunteering and the opportunity to meet new people. Through the role, he feels he has become “a wee bit more sociable and cheerier”, while also building confidence and communication skills.

Travis has found volunteering to be a positive way to gain experience at a pace that works for him, helping him build skills and confidence while adding valuable experience to his CV. Travis has proven to be a reliable volunteer and with his regular weekly shifts, he has now completed over 220 hours of volunteering – achieving his 200 hour Saltire Award!

Travis said that there were “no negatives at all” to his volunteering experience, and that he would encourage others to give it a try.

It’s been fantastic to see Travis grow in confidence through volunteering, and his help at The Wyllieum continues to be invaluable.

If you are interested in volunteering and want to find out more about local opportunities, please visit Volunteer Inverclyde or contact us at admin@cvsinverclyde.org.uk