Case Studies

Volunteering changes your perspective

Clare from vGreenwich explains why she volunteers for vGreenwich, and how the project has helped her learn lots of new skills and make lots of interesting people.

I have been volunteering with vinvolved Greenwich for over a year since graduating from University and have discovered that volunteering can have a huge affect on those who take part, as well as those you work with. It has helped me change my perceptions of certain things in my area and has made me think about things from a different perspective. Instead of complaining about issues affecting us locally, I was able to discuss them with others who wanted to make a difference and discover ways to change them.

Has it had a positive affect on the community?

Having such a positive impact on our community helps the profile for young people; there are a huge number of young people who are interested in helping others in Greenwich. Having people from so many different cultures and walks of life, we are able to dream up ideas and put on events that really do help so many different people. Our events seem to vary hugely, which makes it so interesting. I learn new things and meet new people in every meeting we have, I find out about different groups I never knew existed and I am able to discover new talents and learn new skills in the many projects we undertake.

What has the project achieved? We’ve worked with several different organisations and groups in our areas and have had great feedback, everyone appreciates the time and effort we put in, and we benefit too.

Since being involved with v I have helped organise a number of projects, taken part in many events and met a lot of interesting and influential people. Together in our group we have volunteered at day centres, ecology parks and homeless shelters; put on events to showcase talent and accomplishments and increased the profile of volunteering in our area through fundraisers and promotional displays.

What have you done? As well as being part of the planning group I have looked into research why young people volunteer, been on interpersonal skills, community communications and podcasting courses, and worked on advertising, newsletters and marketing. It has helped me immensely with my professional and self development. I have pursued passions I’m not able to experience in my chosen career path, learned to work with others and my confidence to talk to and in front of people has amplified since starting. I have enjoyed watching our ideas unfold and will continue to volunteer in the future.

Why volunteer?

v enables young people to discover the many opportunities out there that they would not perhaps know about. It pushes some young people into the right direction and for others like me; it allows us something new and exciting to do outside the necessary requirements of everyday life!
Check out vinspired for more information on the national youth volunteering campaign!
(April 2010)

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V-Greenwich 'Old' Boy Writes for Rwd

Fancy yourself as a budding journalist?

Former vGreenwich volunteer Kippa Brand  did and he did something about it!

We asked Kippa a few questions about his latest volunteer role at music and fashion magazine Rwd.

How did you get involved with RWD Mag?

'Well it all started with a podcasting course with BDP Media Group. I was meant to be leading a group of people into London to learn how to do podcasting. Although the group was alright, I stood out, and I knew it (mainly due to what I did at high school). So I thought if I am that good, I should ask if they had any spots, and they liked me so much that they gave me one in the new year!'

What exactly are you doing there?

'Well I do music journalism amongst other things. Every morning I search for music news and write a story about it, usually for a casual, 12 to 18 general knowledge articles about indie music. The magazine covers indie, but not many people care as much as me, so I took over the whole deal to do with indie.'

So how are you liking it?

'I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I love it so much. I am respected and treated like I work here, I do as much or as little as I want (but mainly as much as I can!) I get expenses and I am doing something I love which I think I am good or getting good at. The people are awesome too, really laid back bunch of people that make it so much easier.'

What would you like to do after this?
'Well I want to get into anything media wise, and if you can get into anything to do with media, you can branch out into almost anything else in media, which is handy and what I am aiming to do as well. So I’ll take what I’ve done here, go to uni back in Australia and hopefully find similar work or take it to other places.'

How has volunteering helped you get this position?

'Well Volunteering gave me the chance to be a leader, and with that, become confidant to ask for the position and take the chance that was given to me. They gave me the opportunity to do podcasting training, and within that, I found, made and took the opportunity to do what I am doing today. They gave me confidence, and I took that and fashioned my own opportunities.'

Check out Rwd Magazine online to see what exciting stuff Kippa has been writing about and the latest volunteering opportunities available for music enthusiasts and journalists!

(Feb 2010)