Q&A With A Volunteer

“Whenever I volunteer I just feel happy in myself and the world I live in”

Born and bred in Manchester, this inspiring volunteer has spoken to us about the importance of volunteering and how beneficial it is to you (students)! For personal reasons they wish to be left anonymous however they have given us an excellent background of the volunteering work they do, the importance of volunteering on a practical and personal level, and reasons why you should volunteer. Here at Rise, we love volunteering and we encourage every student to give it go. We update our site regularly to give you the best volunteering opportunities. Read the Q&A and be inspired…

When did you start volunteering and why did you want to do it?

So, I started volunteering during lockdown as I wanted to help older people who couldn’t get out of the house. Due to lack of public transport during these times, I knew there were people who don’t drive and were struggling to get their own shopping and medications. I wanted to help these people as I can drive and had time to do these chores for them.

Do you have a memorable story from your volunteering?

The charity who I volunteered with ensure that the service is free for everybody who needs it and as a volunteer I wasn’t getting paid – I knew this from the start and would never dream of getting paid for something like this. There was one time where I made a trip for a woman and she constantly double checked that the service was free for her as she didn’t have the money to pay for it. I assured her it is completely free and the volunteers don’t get paid so there’s nothing to spend money on. Before I left her, she gave me a five pound note. Instantly I refused to take it and told her she doesn’t need to give me anything however she was very stubborn and basically forced me to take it. It made me laugh because she didn’t want to pay the charity but me personally as ‘I shouldn’t have to do this for free whilst I’m not working’.

After the trip I felt really happy. Not about the money. But the way she made me feel appreciated and seen. It also gave me a sense of pride.

Do you feel it’s important for students to volunteer? If so, why?

I fully believe that volunteering is super important for everybody to do, however it’s even more important for students. I am aware that a lot of students have never had a job before and volunteering not only gives them the experience of being in a professional work environment, but it also gives them the chance to build on their work ethic. Volunteering will 100% help them feel more prepared and confident when it comes to getting their first job after graduation.

I also feel it’s very important for students to get help and get involved in the community around them. Especially in Manchester as they are surrounded by a great wide range of different communities and culture. Why would they not want to be a part of that? I would also like to add that students can sometimes be very caught up in their own lives and often don’t realise that a lot of the people around them need young people’s help.

How has volunteering effected you on a personal level?

Truthfully, and I’m not sure if this is selfish, but the fact that I am actively helping people just makes me feel good. It makes me realise my impact on society, even if it is on a small level. I think it has put into perspective that we do only have one life, and me personally, I would like to be remembered in a positive way.

In a weird way, I also hope that my volunteering will one day do a full circle. When I’m elderly I may be in a position where I need help from others. Hopefully one day people will do the same for me when I need it.

Whenever I volunteer I just feel happy in myself and the world I live in.

Want some more encouragement and reasons to volunteer? Read our top three reasons to volunteer and get a feel for my own, personal volunteering experience. To kickstart your volunteering journey, complete Rise’s Volunteering and Service Learning Passport – where you’ll feel confident, prepared and eager to get started.

Giving out a huuugeee thank you to the wonderful volunteer who let us interview them. We hope they have inspired you to give it a go yourself.

Make sure you are regularly checking the Rise website for the newest volunteering opportunities. Happy volunteering!