Kate moved to Orkney to study in 2021 and got involved in volunteering to meet new people and make friends, as well as to help out in the Orkney community. They also found that it was a great way to learn new skills and enhance their job prospects.
Kate contacted VAO to find out about different volunteering opportunities in Orkney and we helped them secure roles with different organisations and charities both locally and nationally. They fundraise for Action Medical Research and the British Heart Foundation, sell pin badges for the RSPB and help in the Orkney Archive. More recently, they have also been volunteering with the Orkney Native Wildlife Project monitoring biosecurity traps.
In 2023/24, Kate single - handedly raised an amazing £4,594.75 for the British Heart Foundation through bucket collections here in Orkney and in other places in Scotland, and by taking part in Kilt Walks. Kate says:
I have been impressed by the kindness and generosity of the people who gave their money. The experience has allowed me to feel good about myself, for doing something, for giving back, and helping out.
Kate feels that volunteering has helped to increase their confidence and they find it a rewarding and fulfilling activity. While volunteering for the British Heart Foundation they meet people who have had heart disease or heart attacks, who often share their own experience, which can be both moving and challenging. Kate says:
It’s great that by being there you’ve created an opportunity for people to say something. It might be nothing but if it helps people by simply connecting with a representative from the charity, by being a visible presence that’s allowing interaction to happen, it’s important to be there.
After volunteering with the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, Kate was given a short-term contract becoming an employed member of the staff with them. Since then they have successfully secured a long-term post with the project.
