Featured Archives - Stockport Volunteer Hub

“On January 19, 2024, I reflect on the pivotal role volunteering has played in propelling my career forward. In 2003, may journey began at the Citizens Advice Bureau as a volunteer, setting the stage for a transformative career trajectory. Building on this experience, I successfully secured a second volunteering position with the national charity, refugee-action, operating in the forced migration sector.

The invaluable experience gained at both the CAB and Refugee Action became the cornerstone of my professional growth, opening doors to a casework role at Refugee Action that spanned over 12 years. Remarkably, I ascended to the position of volunteer coordinator for the UNHCR Gateway Refugee Resettlement Programme in Bolton.

In 2023, I embraced a volunteer role at the Stockport Race Equality Partnership, and within the same year, I cultivated the skills necessary to confidently pursue my current role as the Refugee and Migrant Partner Lead in Stockport.

Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded that giving back to the community is not merely a one-way street—it reciprocates. Invest your time in volunteering and watch as it enriches you with skills that become your greatest assets in shaping a fulfilling career. Volunteering is not just a contribution; it’s a powerful investment in yourself and your professional journey.”

Not all volunteering is a long-term commitment. Hilary took the opportunity to combine her favourite pastime with giving back. For National Tea Day Hilary made 26 cups of tea for her friends and neighbours, using the time as an opportunity to tell them about a fundraiser for local charity, R-Kids.

Micro-volunteering can be any kind of small activity that doesn’t require alot of time or planning, but can still make a big difference.

“I started volunteering as a teenager in order to build my experience for job applications. As an arts lover and someone who spent much time performing at the local community theatre with my local drama group, I applied to volunteer there.

As a volunteer usher and fire warden, I was customer-facing, able to watch each of the performances, learn about organisational policy and gain some valuable people skills. Doing this provided me not only with the necessary skills to become successful in applying for part-time work but it gave me a sense of drive and purpose that only comes from doing something you love.

I often struggled with confidence and mental health during these years, but volunteering was the right step for me to take and environment for me. I felt like I was both giving back and gaining from the experience.

It led me on to pursue further volunteering roles in the future such as volunteering for Roots, a northern-France based charity supplying clean water, power banks, WIFI and hot showers to displaced communities. I was able to both learn and develop continually in this role from starting as a General Volunteer to becoming the Volunteer Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator and later, after I moved back to complete my degree, a Trustee. Roots supported me in this, and I feel blessed to have met the passionate people I have through volunteering.”