Ever thought about volunteering? It can help with your OU study, or as valuable experience towards your future career. Find out how others volunteer, share your story or if you are looking for volunteers for a project let Platform know.
(photo: Andy Lane)
Volunteers needed: become a School governor
School governors are the largest group of volunteers in education. They support and challenge the Head Teacher, set the strategic direction for the school and monitor and evaluate progress. As members of the school’s governing body, governors have the opportunity to significantly develop their skills and competencies.
A report carried out by The City of London showed that 67 per cent of school governor volunteers had improved influencing and negotiation skills compared with 43 per cent of the total sample. 71 per cent of school governors reported a skills gain in team working in comparison to 43 per cent of the total sample. Volunteers also reported that taking on the role of school governor was extremely useful
for developing hard business skills, such as an increased business awareness and financial skills like planning and budgets*.
SGOSS have also launched a new short film this week, “We’re the people…” which follows four volunteers in their workplaces and shows how they use their skills to support children, education and schools.
SGOSS CEO Liz McSheehy says:
“There is a common misconception that school governors are just parents of children at a school. We wanted to showcase that this volunteer opportunity is all-inclusive and a vital part of school improvement. Becoming a school governor allows a broad range of people to enact real change in education as well as enabling people to develop
practical business skills.”
Have you thought about volunteering and using your OU skills to help a school? Education charity ‘SGOSS – Governors for Schools’ has launched a new campaign which highlights the personal benefits of volunteering in a quest to help fill 30,000 school governor vacancies across England. School governors are the largest group of volunteers in education. They ...
Volunteer to be a school governor
Michael Howe, a school governor in Milton Keynes, says: "I would say that if anyone is thinking of becoming a school governor to go for it. Everybody has something to bring to a school, whether you are business minded, have experience of education in another school or as a parent; your passion for education and the welfare of young people is important and can really make a difference.
"The training and support you receive from the Local Authority is also excellent so don’t be put off if you think you don’t know enough about Education!"
SGOSS, the governor recruitment charity, is appealing to anyone involved with The Open University to consider volunteering as a school governor. The charity has worked with OU since 2006 and placed more than 200 alumni, students and staff on governing bodies in schools.
To find a suitable school in your area, join the SGOSS talent pool or get in touch with Richard on richard.julian@sgoss.org.uk or 0207 288 9535.
Find out more:
Did you know there is a unique, challenging and inspirational opportunity in your local area? Many schools are appealing for new volunteers to help improve standards of education and give children the best possible start in life. You could volunteer as a school governor to inspire tomorrow’s generation and contribute to local education. School governors ...
An award for best essay and advice on working abroad
Jon who now lives in France reveals the surprise of winning the award and shares his experiences of study with the OU, work abroad and offers advice on learning a foreign language.
Winning the prize of £150
It was with delight that I opened an OU letter in early January and discovered that, far from being the expected circular, it brought altogether different news. More wonderful is the knowledge that some families in our midst are generous enough to offer total strangers the chance to compete for such an award and the chance, at the same time, to remember Mathena Kerr Ross. Such prizes are life-affirming and inspiring to us all.
How I came to study with the OU
Physics had been my worst subject at school - although there were plenty of other contenders, like French, ironically enough. One of my fellow menials had just started a PhD course at Birmingham on the strength of gaining a First at the OU. Looking back, his shining example was the first step along my own OU path.
My next career phase was in journalism, where I ended up editing a science and science fiction magazine but my OU course began in 1993, starting with Foundation Science and progressing to Biology, Psychology and Earth Sciences ... then, after a few gap years, veering off to Classics and Shakespeare. This last, AA306, has to be one of the best.
Review of AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
Before starting the course, I thought I already knew a fair bit about Shakespeare. I’d seen and read nearly all of the plays, including some at the very fringes of the canon.
I advise you approach it afresh (i.e. without necessarily having done much prior reading, and with mind, ears and eyes fully open to new ideas). The course introduces you to what is probably some of the most interesting and thought-provoking criticism of the last twenty years or so. A lot of people might consider Shakespeare an almost fossilised area of study when compared to, say, astronomy, but it’s probably fair to say that attitudes to Shakespeare have changed as much since the 80s as have ways of thinking about black holes.
My new life in France is very leisurely but provides plenty of scope to reconnect with my previous career in journalism. I’ve recently joined a local (English-speaking) radio group and lend a hand at a local cinema which helps me get up to date with French film. All of these activities are voluntary and, for me, doing the work is its own reward.
Working abroad and speaking the language
The new roles are actually conducted in English, not French. There are lots of English people in Brittany, and there is even an organisation to help with integration which is based in the village near to where I live. But true integration comes with proficiency in the local language and, unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get by without a good grasp of French. My own French is far from adequate at the moment, malheureusement.
Advice for those seeking employment in France or overseas
For those seeking employment, and with sufficient motivation and energy, there are government-sponsored schemes which try to find work for people. Job-seekers are given (free) French lessons which, depending on age, can be quite intensive. Younger people are considered to have the best chance of finding employment and are given the most help acquiring that all-important French language.
However, anyone thinking of relocating and working abroad would probably be well advised to try and become a competent speaker of the local language before arrival, as learning does not take place simply by being there. There are too many English newspapers, television channels and English speakers for that to happen automatically.
Despite having taken an intensive French language course, joined a French-conversation class, tried numerous audio courses and having a couple of hours of lessons per week, I’m beginning to regret not having taken an OU course in French! Like many others, I find that the OU actually works well for me and, given a little determination on our part, the courses are almost guaranteed to succeed where others might fail.
Find out more:
- Study AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
- Study French with the OU
- Leaving a Gift to The Open University
- The Marthena Kerr award and previous winner
Jon Chambers has won this year’s Mathena Kerr Ross Prize, an award made to the student with the best essay on module AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance, given in memory of an OU student who enjoyed her OU studies and in particular Shakespeare. Jon who now lives in France reveals the surprise of winning the award and shares his experiences of study with the OU, ...
Volunteering opportunities with MK International Festival
The festival, part of which is sponsored by The Open University, is seeking volunteers from the OU community aged 18+ to help with a range of jobs and roles, including ushering, stewarding, joining the backstage crew or technical support, driving artists and staff, helping with administration and publicity (leafleting and promotions), selling programmes at events and being VIP event hosts.
If you would like to be involved, contact Holly Traynor: holly.traynor@stables.org or call 01908 280810. More information on volunteering at MKIF is available online.
And if you would like to work with dramatic French fire alchemists La Compagnie Carabosse as they prepare for and present the opening events for IF: 2012, you can find out more here.
Milton Keynes International Festival 2012 takes place over 10 days in July and presents a busy international programme of concerts, comedy, cabaret, theatre, pop ups, activities and large scale events in unusual places and temporary venues - and you could volunteer to be part of it. The festival, part of which is sponsored by The Open University, is seeking volunteers from ...
It's Universities Week - get involved!
Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the great things which are being achieved.
Some famous Olympians including Open University Honorary Graduate; Dame Kelly Holmes share stories of their university days and say why they are supporting Universities week 2012.
The week will culminate in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships, which will be held in the Olympic Stadium as part of the London Prepares series.
This is the third annual national campaign of its kind and it is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students (NUS), Research Councils UK, GuildHE, the Universities Marketing Forum, Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more. The campaign is being coordinated by Universities UK and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
Find out more:
- Join and share your comments in the Universities week 2012 group
- Are you involved in the Olympics? - volunteering then tell us more in the Olympics group
- What kind of sport would you do in the Olympics? try Olympisize me on OpenLearn
- Study a sports course with the OU
Picture credit: SportsBusiness' photostream
Universities Week 2012 (30 April–7 May) aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. The theme this year is the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the ...
OU student Nicci chosen to carry the Olympic Torch
Action for Children worker Nicci was selected by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) after being nominated by her manager, Eve Chinnery.
Nicci is looking forward to her Olympic role, which will see her carry the torch along a part of the 70-day Olympic Torchbearer Relay around the UK. Nicci said: "I don't know where I will be carrying it yet, but I have been told I will have it on May 27th somewhere between Swansea and Aberystwyth. It could be anywhere on the route, but I hope it's close to home!"
She added that when she received the confirmation email from LOCOG, she couldn't believe it. “I was gobsmacked but absolutely delighted to be chosen as I thought the chances of actually being picked were so minimal. I couldn't be more pleased.”
The keen runner has raised hundreds of pounds for charity by completing the Cardiff Half Marathon and is set to compete in this year’s London Marathon. Eve Chinnery, Action for Children Service Manager, said: “Nicci thoroughly deserves to take part in this historic sporting event. She is a hardworking and dedicated member of the team at Powys Community Support Service and also dedicates her spare time to the disabled children outside of working hours, as well as studying for an Open University degree and bringing up to two teenage sons.”
Nicci certainly has some exciting times ahead. “2012 is going to be a good year with my Graduation, the London Marathon and of course being a torch bearer which I am very honoured to be doing, and to top it all I was one of the lucky people to get Olympic tickets so will be going to the stadium with my sons to watch the Athletics on 10th August too.”
With such a busy lifestyle the OU’s study path was the best option for Nicci who is currently studying for an Open Degree.
“I am very excited to be attending my graduation ceremony in the Barbican at the end of March! I really enjoyed my studies with the OU, I like the flexibility, the support was excellent and I could fit it in around everything else to suit my schedule. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.”
Find out more:
OU student Nicci Shrimpton has been selected as one of the 8,000 runners who will be carrying the Olympic torch on its nationwide tour ahead of the games in London. She was chosen for her work with disabled children as well as many extra fundraising efforts for a variety of charities. Action for Children worker Nicci was selected by the London Organising ...
OU degree ceremonies – volunteers needed
What does it involve?
Our volunteers assist OU staff in congratulating graduates on their special day as well as handing out information on the Alumni Association. Your help will ensure that we are able to speak personally to many more graduates, both about their experiences of studying with the University, and their plans for the future.
If you would like to come and help us on the Alumni stand, please email alumni@open.ac.uk (Title DC volunteer) or telephone +44 (0)1908 653815 for more details.
* Please note lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day where applicable but volunteers are responsible for their own travel costs to and from the venue.
Find out more:
Can you spare a few hours or a whole day to help on the OU Alumni Stand at one of our 2012 degree ceremonies?* What does it involve? Our volunteers assist OU staff in congratulating graduates on their special day as well as handing out information on the Alumni Association. Your help will ensure that we are able to speak personally to many more graduates, both about their ...
OU telephone campaign: a caller's view
Marie is currently studying for her BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management with the OU.
How long does a telephone campaign last and what hours do you have to work as a caller?
The telephone campaigns tend to last between 2 and 4 weeks depending on the type of campaign. The hours typically involved are 2 evenings in the week just for 3 hours a night and then one weekend day. It is really flexible and you can work as many or as few of those as you like, it’s great.
You currently work full-time so is this is an extra job?
Yes, I have my own business in insurance so because of the hours with the business, the evenings are really good to earn some extra pocket money.
What was your main reason for applying for the role of telephone caller?
I’ve been studying with the OU on my BA Hons degree since 2009. In my first year I had a lot of support financially because in your first year in business there isn’t much money coming in. I really wanted to give something back to the OU because without it I wouldn’t have been able to get onto the path of studying. I do telephone calling a lot in my job and wanted to do something that was making a difference.
Is there a lot of training involved to become a caller?
You have to be competent and have a certain level of confidence to go on the phone for the first time. The first training was over a weekend and then refresher training tends to be half a day to a day after that. So it’s not a lot of training but they do make sure you’re confident and you’re happy to go on the phones. It’s also on going during the campaigns as well.
Is it difficult to ask for donations? And does it get easier?
I don’t find it hard to ask for donations because you’re having a conversation with somebody who studied with The Open University and if you can really have a good conversation with them it’s just a natural progression. At first you are thinking ‘oh gosh I have to ask for money’ and as you get more confident I wouldn’t say it gets easier but you do get better at handling any questions should any arise. It’s not particularly hard to start with as long as you do what you’ve been shown the training is there to make it easier for you.
What kind of questions do you get asked?
You get asked if you’re a student yourself and what it is you are styudying/studied. So it’s good to have a recap of the courses you’ve done. You’ll often get asked where the money is going (that’s a big one) although you’ll explain campaigns to them. They want to know what their money is going to do. Is it going to go on just admin, does it pay the callers or does all of it go to the causes?
Do you have crib sheets to help you?
Yes you have prompts so if for example someone says “I already give to charity I really can’t do something how do you expect me to find the money?” There are ways of being able to reassure people. And we get asked “how do I know you are calling from the OU?” and there are ways of managing that as the information we have only the OU would know.
How would you sum up your experience as a caller?
Working on the first campaign really changed my life around. When you work on your own or just have a team of 2 or 3 people working remotely for you, you don’t have a lot of human contact so it’s really easy to become quite cold and icy towards people. Being on the calling team formed me. It helped me to be more personable and made me remember why I went into business in the first place. I’ve got a lot more confidence. From a study point of view I’d taken a break after a particularly difficult 2010 and it gave me the little push to go back and study again which I’m doing now.
Has doing this role changed the way you feel about the OU? (If so, how?)
The OU always in my mind has always been unique but the campaign has reinforced that it’s just a really amazing community to be around and it is unlike any other form of studying. There’s nowhere else you can go to be able to keep doing what you’re doing and still work towards a degree. If you need help it’s there. So it’s just reinforced my belief in the good work that it does and especially with everything changing in the next year how important that is going to be because without the OU there would be hundreds, thousands of people who wouldn’t be able to get a degree.
Why do you think those in the OU community should give calling a try?
Find out more:
- Telephone campaign: become a caller
- Giving to The Open University
- BA (Honours) Leadership and Management
One of the keys to a successful telephone campaign is its callers. Student Marie Coles is currently working on her second campaign and told Platform what it’s like to be a caller and why she recommends giving it a try. Marie is currently studying for her BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management with the OU. How long does a telephone campaign last and what hours do you ...
Volunteering opportunity: Bottlenose dolphin research assistant
CBMWC is a non-profit organisation based in New Quay, west Wales, UK and since 1996 has been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through research and education. Through boat-based and land-based surveys we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations, with a focus on the photo-identification of the semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
To find our more and for details of how to apply visit the website.
Photo by: RC_Fotos
Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting volunteer visitor centre and bottlenose dolphin research assistants for the 2012 season (March to November). CBMWC is a non-profit organisation based in New Quay, west Wales, UK and since 1996 has been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through research and education. Through boat-based and ...
Annual count records change in rare plant population
Volunteers are helping to record and preserve threatened and rare plants found in floodplain meadows across the country, thanks to a project supported by the Open University.
The Floodplain Meadows Partnership, supported by the OU, has been recording the change in the population of snake’s head fritillary - a rare plant - at North Meadow, Cricklade, in Wiltshire, for over 10 years. This count takes place at the time of peak flowering in mid April every year by a team of volunteers.
"One of the key species that we collect data on is the rare snake’s head fritillary, found on only a handful of sites in the UK," says Floodplain Meadows Outreach Co-Ordinator Emma Rothero.
"In particular, the Open University has collected data from North Meadow, a National Nature Reserve in Wiltshire, owned and managed by Natural England, and home to 80 per cent of the UK population of these special plants."
The project collects data on plant species and plant communities found within floodplain meadows, as well as information about hydrology, soil fertility and structure, and site management.
The annual count is done using the help of volunteers and this video shows you what they got up to during the 2011 count.
If you would like to get involved - volunteers are already being sought for the 2012 count - or find out more, visit the website. You can also take part in a plant quiz, go on a virtual walk, find meadow sites near you and become part of Meadow Watch.
Volunteers are helping to record and preserve threatened and rare plants found in floodplain meadows across the country, thanks to a project supported by the Open University. The Floodplain Meadows Partnership, supported by the OU, has been recording the change in the population of snake’s head fritillary - a rare plant - at North Meadow, Cricklade, in Wiltshire, for over 10 ...
School Governors needed
The Open University has been working with the national charity School Governors’ One-Stop Shop to recruit volunteers for some of the 40,000 vacancies across England, with 165 OU volunteers being placed recently.
Did you know you don't have to be a parent to be a school governor? There is currently a need for school governor volunteers in many areas. If you have between six and eight hours to spare each month, mainly in the evenings and during term time, you could make a difference to a local school.
Governors act as critical friends to the head teacher and make long-term decisions affecting the future of the school. They set key policies, allocate budgets and evaluate the head teacher.
Michael Howe, Governor at Southwood & Downs Barn, Milton Keynes, says: “I would say that if anyone is thinking of becoming a school governor to go for it. Everybody has something to bring to a school, whether you are business minded, have experience of education in another school or as a parent; your passion for education and the welfare of young people is important and can really make a difference.
"The training and support you receive from the Local Authority is also excellent so don’t be put off if you think you don’t know enough about Education!”
If you want to make a difference in your community see the link below for further information and details of how to apply.
Useful links
- Further information and details of how to apply
- School Governors' one-stop-shop
- Student blogger Carrie Walton volunteers as a school governor
Picture credit: alamosbasement
The Open University has been working with the national charity School Governors’ One-Stop Shop to recruit volunteers for some of the 40,000 vacancies across England, with 165 OU volunteers being placed recently. Did you know you don't have to be a parent to be a school governor? There is currently a need for school governor volunteers in many areas. If you have ...
Is it okay to volunteer for selfish reasons?
What does the word ‘volunteering’ mean to you? That’s the question student blogger Carrie is asking in her latest entry for Platform as she reveals why she is a school governor, OUSA representative and Digital Champion supporting people get online…
“I somehow had it in my head that volunteering always involved getting dirty or getting puked on or having to entertain bored little kids by trying to assure them that digging trenches really is great fun.
“I’ve been volunteering for a few things for over a year now but it’s not volunteering in the sense I immediately think of, and up until recently I didn’t actually consider it volunteering at all.
“I never really considered them as volunteering posts for one simple reason; I do them for purely selfish reasons...”
Read more about Carrie’s thought’s on volunteering at her Platform blog
What does the word ‘volunteering’ mean to you? That’s the question student blogger Carrie is asking in her latest entry for Platform as she reveals why she is a school governor, OUSA representative and Digital Champion supporting people get online… “I somehow had it in my head that volunteering always involved getting dirty or getting puked on or having to ...
Want to Volunteer? try The Gambia!
Joy Buchanan always had the travel bug. From working in Cologne to teaching English in Germany she became a translator based in Stuttgart then a book editor in Switzerland before volunteering in The Gambia.
Making the decision to study with the OU, Joy hoped to further her career and make more money but when it came to choosing a course she changed her mind “I did look at courses that would do that for me and then decided my soul needed more attention than my pocket” so she did an OU Diploma in music theory for fun because she loves to sing and enjoys music.
This gives you just a small insight into Joy’s personality and the reasons why she now lives and volunteers in The Gambia after toying with the idea of moving to Italy first of all.
Joy first ‘discovered’ The Gambia through Gambians she met living in Zurich and someone she edited a book for who encouraged her to visit Gambia. On visiting she was charmed by the country but realised there were areas in need of help which she saw as an opportunity for her and in particular the lack of school facilities for the children.
On returning to the UK Joy decided to get involved in volunteering and though not an easy choice decided to work in The Gambia. “I felt that I could live in The Gambia in terms of climate, culture, language and music and I wanted to do charity work so I looked around for organisations involved in Charity work there.”
Joy represents two charities in her work: Förderverein Humanitas (FVH) and Bedford College who have donated funds toward the buying of land and building of nursery schools. In particular she has been involved in supervising the building a new nursery school in the town of Brikama and the renovation and expansion of another in a Ghanaian settlement. When Joy first visited one site, she found “86 children, three teachers, and the headmaster all packed into two small rooms at the decrepit school. There were few seats or desks and no outside play area”. Now this has 3 classrooms, an office block and store. Now the classroom facilitate 70 children aged 3-7 years.
Joy now lives in The Gambia and has been involved in the projects for 18 months. She enjoys being in the area of education because it is so important. “I also feel that the only point of knowledge is to pass it on”.
Setting down to life if The Gambia has been a challenge but her OU studies helped culturally. She says “the OU course has made all music more accessible to me. The course included the study of African artists and the history of music and this helps me to understand the music and dancing performed here”. Joy hopes to bring trained musicians to The Gambia in the future who want to work and teach abroad.
Joy Buchanan always had the travel bug. From working in Cologne to teaching English in Germany she became a translator based in Stuttgart then a book editor in Switzerland before volunteering in The Gambia. Making the decision to study with the OU, Joy hoped to further her career and make more money but when it came to choosing a course she changed her mind “I did ...
Fancy a bit of the feel good factor
Got a bit of spare time on your hands? Want a new hobby? Want to get more out of life by putting something back in? Well… have you thought about volunteering?
Rebecca Wilson, assistant alumni project officer at The Open University, has been volunteering at her local hospital radio station for nine years now and says she wouldn’t be without the social aspect and the “feel good factor” it brings.
She told Platform: “I would definitely recommend volunteering to anyone who has a spare few hours every week. There are many charities and organisations that would not exist without the help of volunteers.
“I first decided that I wanted a hobby that I could do in the evenings and I looked around at the various options. Lots of local charities had volunteering opportunities including administration work in charity offices, citizens advice volunteers and hospice at home volunteers who visit cancer patients.
“With trepidation I contacted my local hospital volunteering department and much to my delight I was welcomed with open arms. I was told there were lots of different opportunities - visiting and feeding patients, reception work in the main hospital as well as the cancer unit - but I decided that hospital radio was the best one for me.”
After her initial training she was let loose on the mixing desk and beforeshe knew it she had her own show called ‘Music from the Movies’. The show lasted for an hour and she would go around the ward before the show, visiting patients to get requests.
She added: “Once I was brave enough I then got more involved by attending outside broadcasts at local fetes, carnivals and the odd store opening.”
Now Rebecca does a 90-minute show every Thursday evening. “It’s great fun,” she says. “I have met some wonderful people who all share the same interests and at the same time we are providing entertainment to people who are unfortunate enough to be in hospital. I dedicate one evening per week and also attend a couple of outside broadcasts during the year, which are usually on a Saturday daytime.”
So, what made Rebecca volunteer her time and would she recommend it to others?
“I wanted to do something in my spare time which was worthwhile as well as enjoyable. Yes, I would recommend it for the social aspect, it is a good way to meet people and make friends. Also, it has a nice feel good factor.”
Got a bit of spare time on your hands? Want a new hobby? Want to get more out of life by putting something back in? Well… have you thought about volunteering? Rebecca Wilson, assistant alumni project officer at The Open University, has been volunteering at her local hospital radio station for nine years now and says she wouldn’t be without the social aspect and ...
Volunteering? Start small says Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomspon, the UK’s best-known Paralympic athlete and an Open University honorary graduate, spends one day a week on community and voluntary projects. So what tips does she have on volunteering?
“The difficulty is, people like the idea of volunteering but sometimes don’t know what they want to do or how to go about getting started. I’m a trustee of a charity called V which is about inspiring the young to become volunteers but that’s just one part of it; it’s about giving people ideas on what they want to do, as volunteering gives you new skills and can be very useful.
“If you want to volunteer you have to be quite persistent. Lots of organisations are not as welcoming to volunteers as they should be; it works both ways - organisations need to be better at dealing with volunteers and volunteers need to be quite persistent in offering their help.
“London 2012 gives people a great opportunity to volunteer. I sit on a diversity group where we’re looking at how you make the workforce more diverse as we want to attract people from all over the world from every background going to watch and participate, and you can’t do that unless you have a diverse workforce and diverse volunteers. The aim is to get as many disabled people as possible to volunteer at 2012.
“I hope that by seeing disabled people on the street wearing a volunteer’s uniform it will start to change people’s attitude to disability. When I was growing up you didn’t see many disabled people in the city centre, they were in homes and special schools and behind closed doors. With lots of disabled volunteers, 2012 can improve the public’s perception of disability.
“I think people don’t always understand what volunteering is, it doesn’t have to be 20 hours a week, it could just be a couple of hours in a year. It’s finding the right thing that makes them feel good about it so they hopefully do more, rather than feeling like they’re being used. The best way is to start small, don’t commit yourself to a massive volunteering project because if you don’t like it you’ll have a miserable time.”
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomspon, the UK’s best-known Paralympic athlete and an Open University honorary graduate, spends one day a week on community and voluntary projects. So what tips does she have on volunteering? “The difficulty is, people like the idea of volunteering but sometimes don’t know what they want to do or how to go about getting started. ...
A day in the life of a volunteer
Violet Rock is a graduate of the OU and regularly takes part in volunteering activities. Here, she gives an insight into a day in the life of a volunteer.
One evening I stood waiting for a bus for twenty minutes in an arctic cold wind after attending a local community meeting. I had been on five buses and one train that day. I stood with my hood pull over my head trying to keep warm. Before I got the next and last bus home I went to a local shop, got a big mug of
tea and a big sandwich.
I had started my day as a community volunteer discussing the attitudes of the voluntary sector and integrated working between services. I am a School Governor and this brings me into contact with statutory officers concerned with child welfare, so I attend meetings, listening and discussing and then reporting back to my local organisation and schools. I had to leave that meeting early to get to my place of work, which involved being an Invigilator in a local college, five miles away across the city. A half a mile walk, with hair blowing in the wind, desperately hoping I would not be late and I was in the building.
A change of role, and mindset. No time to ponder, must be organised, keep the ideas and news of changes discussed in the meetings until I get home and can get to the computer and the network. Being connected to the education and health service I try to have an interest in all aspects of these topics therefore I am a member of the local LINks, the Local Involvement Network. Helping individuals of all ages with mobility problems in their daily lives is a part of my concern.
Holistic approach
The next meeting concerned the social and health structures for older people. There was great discussion and concern and I left wanting to say more, but I did stress the aspect of an holistic approach connecting all needs. Again I had to leave early to get to the community gathering about education, a Governors Meeting at a local school. This occurs at least once a term and it is essential to attend to help the process of the future potential for the local children. I reported the news related at the Integrated Services meeting, giving any papers I had received to the Chair and Head Teacher. Most of those present were volunteers with the objective of serving their community.
When I eventually got home, I sent an email to other members of the network giving them the information I had acquired at the meetings I had attended. Being a member of the Open University Graduates Society also gives me connections with a national network. I forward useful Third Sector news on community topics to Mohammed in Wolverhampton who is also a Governor and Iffty Khan a Community Voice and a School Governor.
There are many strands to fulfilling the idea of integration, coordination and cohesion regarding encouraging participation in the community needs, being able to coordinate one´s own life is one of them.
Violet Rock is a graduate of the OU and regularly takes part in volunteering activities. Here, she gives an insight into a day in the life of a volunteer. One evening I stood waiting for a bus for twenty minutes in an arctic cold wind after attending a local community meeting. I had been on five buses and one train that day. I stood with my hood pull over my head ...
