Caitriona O’Connor, our Resource and Content Volunteer, shares her volunteer experience:
Which Department do you volunteer with?
Volunteer team
Volunteer role?
Resource and Content Volunteer,
Why did you decide to get involved with this volunteer team role? What did you want to get out of being involved?
I found myself with some spare time and decided I would like to volunteer with a local organisation in Southwark, as a way to become a more active citizen and give back to my local community. Joining Community Southwark as a volunteer has been a great experience, as I’ve met lovely people and gained experience which I can now add to my CV. It’s also made me feel more connected to my community and has been a great way to find out more about all of the small charities and organisations in my local area.
What skills have you developed through your experience of volunteering with the volunteer team?
The two main skills I’ve developed through this role are researching and writing. Each resource that I create involves researching various online websites and publications, which inform the content of the resource I’m writing.
What have you learnt as a result of volunteering with Community Southwark?
I’ve learned a lot more about the voluntary sector in general, with an insight into how a charity like Community Southwark manage their day-to-day operations and volunteer programme. I’ve also learned more about community engagement, having had the opportunity to take part in several workshops for local council projects.
As a volunteer, what do you do in your role?
My role as a volunteer is to create resources (usually a PDF document) covering various topics, sharing guidance and best practice advice for the voluntary organisations and volunteers in Southwark. Topics range from ways to support and reward volunteers, to creating an inclusive space for volunteers and volunteer management best practice. These resources are then published on the Community Southwark website.
Why do you like volunteering & what difference does it make to you?
I enjoy volunteering because it’s a great way to gain new skills, without the pressure of strict deadlines or the stress that goes along with paid work. It makes me feel more connected to my local community and is a great way to meet new people and gain self confidence.
How to start your volunteer journey?
Want to volunteer bit not sure where to start? Community Southwark can help you start your volunteer journey. Book a 1to1 Volunteer Advice appointment with our Volunteer Adviser and we will help you to see what opportunities there are in the borough. We will help to match you with a charity or group that you are interested in.
