Volunteering is when someone gives their time and talents for free for the benefit of other people in their community. It is for the young, the old and for everyone in between, whether you are working, unemployed, retired, living on the Mainland or on the isles. Volunteering can help you learn new skills and meet new people, giving you different work experiences to help apply for work, change jobs or study. Not only will you be helping to improve other people’s lives and improve our communities and environments, most of all you will have FUN!
Today we hear from Lily and Myles who volunteer with HM Coastguard Orkney while also working full time. Volunteering has helped them find new friendships, a sense of belonging and improved their wellbeing. If they inspire you, get in touch with us to find out how you can become a volunteer by emailing: volunteering@vaorkney.org.uk or calling 01856-872897 (option 1).
Lily
“I have a wide-ranging volunteer role in Search, Coast and Water rescues, often assisting other emergency services, keeping folk safe by the sea and most recently volunteering at the Covid vaccination drives. I am a fully qualified rope technician, which involves being deployed over cliffs! I joined the service when I was 18, almost 8 years ago now as I wanted to make a difference in my community. Volunteering has given me friendships as well as personal and practical skills that have been so beneficial for myself and the community we serve. My team is my family, we go through everything together. Being a part of something bigger with them all by my side is truly fulfilling and worthwhile. “
Myles
“I started volunteering for the Coastguard in January and I have already done numerous things in my short time as a coastguard rescue officer! Along with other Coastguard Rescue Officers I have been marshalling for the covid vaccination clinics here in Orkney as well as assisting with a cliff dog rescue in South Ronaldsay and a police cordon when a grenade was found in Stromness.
There are various reason why I volunteer but mainly as I take a lot from helping others, however small it may be. Also it's great to help the community out and do my bit for the area as well as meeting new people and learning various new skills along the way.
I moved up to Orkney from Glasgow 3 and a half years ago when I was 27 and I found it difficult to settle at first. I work full time as a floorlayer and I also work on the farm where I live, so I am busy but there is still time to volunteer and it has changed my life massively on a mental and physical level. Helping the community and meeting such incredible people who put themselves out there at a moments notice is incredible! I have also since started playing football again due to fellow coastguard officers asking me along so it has also created more paths to take. Volunteering is a great way of achieving so many things no matter what a person wants from it you will always get so much more! “
