Why Volunteering Still Matters: A Personal Perspective

My name is Tony and one of my roles as Programme Lead at CVS Inverclyde is to promote volunteering and the benefits this form of 'giving back' offers individuals, groups of friends and the community. 

From an early age through organisations like Venture Scouts, I became hooked on volunteering in my spare time. As well as becoming a certified SFA B football coach and working with teams up to under 18 years level, I have in the past set-up the 4 Abbeys Cycle Run for Children 1st and then become the Chair and founder of the Scottish Bogie Race Championships in the Scottish Borders.

In recent years because of my love of music and collecting vinyl records I have taken a volunteer role at the award winning MacArts Centre a Charity in Galashiels. My volunteer role includes helping set up the venue, working on the bar and clearing up after the arts, comedy and drama shows there. The Centre is an old church of listed and historic significance, it has amazing acoustics and beautiful stained glass windows. 

Volunteering at MacArts is such a pleasure and allows me to see and hear a wide variety of performances which help promote the area as a cultural hotspot. After promoting volunteering through CVS in Inverclyde I feel its only right to put my mouth where there money is and get volunteering myself. I really recommend volunteering to all, there is always something you can do that is amazing for your health, welfare and skills development. It's great to meet new friends and network through volunteering too.

If you are interested in volunteering come to CVS Inverclyde to speak with us and also check out our website Volunteer Inverclyde. If you are part of an organisation and would like your team to gain some volunteer experience and give back to the local community please drop in and we will be happy to help.