Glasgow’s Golden Generation marks Volunteers’ Week 2023
2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) and we, along with thousands of other charities and voluntary organisations across the UK, want to recognise the contribution our amazing volunteers make. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we hope to encourage people to be the change they we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.
Volunteer coordinator, Naomi said: “Volunteers’ Week is a great way to really shine a light on what our volunteers get up to both in plain sight and behind the scenes and how grateful we are for their time and deduction. Over the last year we have had over 100 volunteers through our doors taking part in a number of projects from running activities at our centres and helping on the floor, whipping up meals in our kitchen, transporting our service users and befriending older adults in their homes and in the community. We have had wonderful volunteers support us in delivering our digital classes, help in fundraising, assist with admin in the office, and even some with green fingers to spruce up our garden areas and do a bit of maintenance/DIY. We even have one volunteer who provides aromatherapy treatments to our service users, making them feel pampered. We are thankful for each and every person that has donated their time to us and made a difference to our service users helping contribute to reducing social isolation. No amount of help is too small, and we are so proud to be involved in helping volunteers give back, build confidence, and develop new skills and friendships. Volunteering is for everyone!”
Volunteering doesn’t just uplift those who use our services, volunteers feel rewarded from giving their time and are so passionate about what they do. Shravasti who volunteered for us until this year said, “Volunteering at the centre was such a rewarding experience…it really used to be the highlight of my week.” For our recent volunteer Fabio, he explained that his time volunteering at the Day Centre was really one of the best experiences of his life. Other volunteers have said volunteering makes them feel useful and gives them great satisfaction and a good sense of routine. We’ve also been able to support volunteers on their language learning journeys, and what better way to learn than being immersed with our amazing older adults with the most incredible stories to share. Volunteering can open up new pathways too and we would like to give a special mention and thank you to volunteer Lesley who gained a job at our David Cargill Day Centre after almost a year of volunteering with us. Congratulations Lesley!
Thank you again to our all our superstar volunteers for all you have done and continue to do for Glasgow’s Golden Generation.
