We value all our volunteers here at Forth Valley Sensory Centre and we celebrate Volunteers’ Week with an annual thank you event. 2021 is no different!
Sadly the event had to be online, but there was a promise of more to come. We hope to have a proper thank you, complete with the usual tea and cake at some point in the near future when restrictions allow. Until then, it’s back to Zoom!
Led by Volunteer Coordinator Caroline Storey, this was a light-hearted event which highlighted just how much we have done, and how much our volunteers have helped us to do over the last year, despite the pandemic. This included delivering sensory packs to help with overall wellbeing, making befriending calls and assisting with online groups. Plus of course some amazing fundraising as volunteers cycled and walked the miles to go over and above for the Centre.
Caroline also revealed results from a survey of our volunteers and we were delighted to hear that over three quarters of those response (78 percent) found it a rewarding experience and 92 percent were happy to keep volunteering despite the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic.
Chair of the Board, Pat Reid, pointed out the scientific links between volunteering and endorphins, or good feelings in the brain and likened our volunteers to being a family of support, both for Centre Users, and for staff. Thanks were passed from all corners. You can watch the thank you from Groups Coordinator Linsey here.
One of the highlights of the event was the reading of a poem, ‘Looking for Something New To Do?’ read by the author and Centre User, Lawson Eades. You can read the poem below or listen to Lawson’s reading here.
Looking for something new to do?
Looking for something new to do?
we may just have the thing for you.
Have you some time that you can spare
or some skills you’d like to share?
Want to make friends? Improve your mind?
There are new skills for you to find.
Need to gain confidence that you lack
or maybe just give something back?
Then volunteering could be for you
our Centre needs you that is true.
You could gain new insight, learn something new,
there are many roles, here’s just a few.
You could help the cook make meals and soups,
give some assistance with our groups,
help in our Technology Hub
or in the café, serve up grub.
Go with theatre group to a show,
do some gardening with a hoe.
In the kitchen bake some cakes,
help the knitters with their makes.
Assist with curling and bowling too
and sighted guiding’s good to do.
Do some driving in your car,
help with outings near and far.
Get involved with raising cash,
cycle, walk, run a 5K dash.
With arts and crafts you could lend a hand,
volunteers always in demand.
So try becoming a volunteer
it’s not scary, no need to fear.
Help make our world a better place
you’ll end up with a smiling face.
Go on improve your self-esteem,
join our volunteering team.
By Lawson Eades May 2021
The event was wrapped up by Forth Valley Sensory Centre Chief Executive, Jacquie winning, who ended on a positive note. Telling attendees to be ready by the phone as the call is coming and hopefully very soon! If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering at the Centre, please see our volunteering page here.
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