Celebrating International Volunteer Day – reflections from volunteer copywriter Alisha
International Volunteer Day (5 December) is a great excuse to highlight the charities and companies that rely on unpaid volunteers. For the organisations, this work is invaluable, but what about for the volunteers themselves? It’s often difficult to know exactly what you’ll get into when starting a new role in a company. Especially with everything being online these days, how do you know if a job posting or volunteer experience will be right for you? I have been a volunteer copywriter for A Good Thing since October, and I’m here to share what I have found.
Discover new businesses and charities
As an ambivert, I love meeting and talking to new people… some of the time. I enjoy learning about other people’s lives, knowing what makes them tick, and finding out what they’ve been up to; interacting with others is something I prioritise in my professional life. But, as I’ve found when working in customer-facing jobs, sometimes you need a bit of peace and quiet that a lot of roles don’t allow for.
This is where one of the highlights of working for A Good Thing comes in: with the app reaching so many groups, it’s hard not to get to know people. Behind each piece of furniture, unused pillow, or rehomed merchandise stands two or more other organisations with their own stories and missions to discover. I have loved learning more about what amazing groups are out there and how organisations are helping each other in my own time.
Work from anywhere, any time
After the pandemic, it seems like virtual working is much more of an option than it was five years ago. A Good Thing is no exception. The organisation is entirely virtual with no set working hours, meaning its volunteers don’t have to be tied down to the regular 9-5. Matches happen all over the UK; the same goes for its volunteers. From St. Ives to Inverness, A Good Thing champions national togetherness, all from the comfort of your own home. Or, if you’re like me, a late-morning cafe trip!
Develop your skills
As a young organisation itself, A Good Thing offers a unique opportunity for its volunteers to grow alongside it. Not only is it a great CV booster, but you can also watch your skills develop with every passing task. I have completed a handful of articles for A Good Thing, and I can see myself improving each time. The founders are always enthusiastic about new ideas for improvement, so as someone who learns by doing, A Good Thing is a fantastic opportunity to adapt.
A great support network
One of the concerns I had when joining A Good Thing was that, since everything was online, it might lack the personal connection that you get with face-to-face working environments. Yes, being in charge of your own working (or volunteering) day is a significant plus, but I’m motivated by talking things through and feeling part of a team.
Luckily, A Good Thing’s team has been right with me every step of the way. Even from the interview stage, I could tell that the people at A Good Thing are super passionate people who care about their cause and volunteers alike. From offering constant support to quarterly get togethers on Zoom, there is always an opportunity to catch up on the goings on of A Good Thing and air any concerns.
I have loved the open communication from Anna, the enthusiasm and passion from Cathy, and the patience from Richard when I had technical issues (which have happened more times than I care to admit!). Feeling like an important part of a great cause has been prevalent in my time with A Good Thing.
Do A Good Thing with your time
So far, I have loved my time at A Good Thing. The flexibility and support as well as the enjoyment I get from pursuing a passion for a good cause has made for a great couple of months.
Consider A Good Thing this International Volunteer Day if you have some spare time and are looking to help a good cause, develop your skills or are as passionate about local environmentalism as we are.