How did volunteering help me shape a successful future?
From a very young age, I've always believed in giving back, this has led me into learning new skills, gaining confidence and networking with some fantastic people which I would've never done if I just focused on work.
For example successfully running large-scale 30,000+ Pride events, which required me to gain skills in presenting a sponsorship deal to a CEO of a large business, legal and compliance regulations of the local council, operations and health and safety of organising a public event, how to make a business successful, setting up a charity, marketing, website and design,… the list is endless.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”?– Gandhi
By giving my time after early age I was able to give true experiences within job interviews which allowed me to grow within my own career as a product of my volunteering work. I would've never gained these experiences or skills without the freedom of developing them within a volunteering role.
“There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.” – Bernard Meltzer?
As my career developed and I became a Manager of People, I knew that I would want to be a leader which nurtured and cared for his team. Even though my personality reflects I knew I could do more. This is the reason why I trained as a crisis counsellor for one of the U.K.'s biggest crisis helplines. By doing this I knew I wouldn't just be a manager of work but also someone when my team could come for support and advice. I would also be given back to the community for the charity I volunteered for.
领英推荐
“Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs?
I've always been one of those crazy people that for thought big. My biggest achievement would be the Leeds Freedom Bridge. The community wanted it to happen to set up a strong LGBTQ+ community around the now called Freedom Quarter of Leeds, however thought it would be possible. This project to me over 10 years to complete with the support of Network Rail, and Leeds City Council. It now serves shining beacon that brightly highlights the fact that the LGBTQ+ community don’t have to hideaway. Following this, I became a member of the "Leeds 2021 Power List" and was named one of Leeds Top 10 LGBT heroes.
“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Every time I volunteered I felt a sense of pride within the community, not only I was gaining skills but networking with people inspired me to do better. I was giving back to the community that I lived in. As we approach the New Year, I would recommend everyone to find an organisational charity that means something to them and offer their skills, services and time. I promise that it will be the best thing you've done this year.
Just your avarage coworker
2 年You are so right when it comes to the benefits of volunteering. It's very admirable what you are doing for your community to help it grow and provide a smile on lots of people's faces.