Date published: 04 June 2015 by Anna Jackson
As featured on the NCVO blog, Pam, one of our office volunteers shares her volunteering experience.
Quite often, when you think of volunteering for a charity, you think of sitting at a desk filing or helping stuff envelopes. While people might have this view, it certainly isn’t the case at Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. There are so many ways people can get involved.
At Rainbow Trust, volunteers can take on a role depending on their own skills and interests. Opportunities vary from helping at events, being out in the community, retail volunteering in the shops, joining care teams on family visits to volunteering in an office environment.
For some, being out and about is a lot more rewarding. Volunteers can help fundraise in the community or help run a stall at a local fete once or twice a year. Pam Brogan from Walton on the Hill, Surrey, has been volunteering with Rainbow Trust since March 2010 and originally helped the community fundraising team with general admin and donations.
Fast forward five years and she is a fundamental part of the community team. For the last 4 years, she has taken full responsibility for the annual Bookham Carol Concert in Surrey, coordinating the event, inviting guests, securing sponsorship and managing behind the scenes. All in all, Pam now runs this event and has helped raise over £10,000. She has also started a project researching synagogues and approached them for support during their High Holy Days. So far this year, it has raised an incredible £17,000 and there is more still coming in. Pam is a true asset to the community fundraising team.
Reflecting on her time with Rainbow Trust, Pam says,
‘As a Rainbow Trust volunteer it’s a pleasure to be part of a great team of people, all working so hard for such a worthwhile cause’.
‘Although I didn’t volunteer for any particular personal gain, it is a really good feeling when you know you have personally contributed to raising funds which will make a difference to families. As a mum who had been somewhat ‘left behind’ in the age of technology, the team at Rainbow Trust teach me new skills every week. In return, I have also been able to offer my skills learnt throughout the years as an active member of various fundraising teams at my daughters’ schools, Scout group and my church. Having witnessed the hours of hard work that go into the organisation of an event or a fundraising mailing, my favorite part of volunteering at Rainbow Trust is undoubtedly the ‘buzz’ felt when a fundraising event is a great success. There is no doubt that everyone at Rainbow Trust is working towards the same goal – to raise as much money as possible to support families in need.’
Andrea Kelley, Volunteer Development Manager at Rainbow Trust said,
‘Volunteering at Rainbow Trust gives you the flexibility to work around your busy lifestyle. There’s no limit to the amount of time you give us. Whether or not it’s something you’ve thought about before, volunteering is a great way to learn essential skills while making a difference in the community’.
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